Risk Factors for Heart Failure, Diabetes, and COPD

Abstract 

The paper is a review of risk factors for three major chronic diseases including heart failure, diabetes, and COPD. The first section will focus on the personal assessment of the most probably chronic diseases that I might develop based on the existing risk factors. The section focuses on the family interviews or analysis of the top 10 leading causes of death or any disabling diseases to determine three chronic diseases that I might develop in the future. The third section will critically focus on the explanation of the risks and how I might be at risk of developing failure, diabetes, and COPD. The fourth section of the paper will focus on disease interview and this will entail interviewing three individuals each with one or more of the identified chronic diseases. Finally, the last section will analyze my commitment to understanding what action I will take, what I might have to eliminate or add to prevent the risk of developing the three identified chronic diseases. 

Personal Assessment: 

Based on an in-depth personal assessment of my chronic disease health risk, I realized that I am at risk of developing diabetes type 1 (healthline.com, 2017). Diabetes is a disease where the body fails to produce adequate or produces no insulin or does not appropriately use the insulin produced. In case any of these things occur, then the body will not be able to get sugar into the cell from the blood thus resulting in higher blood sugar level. The glucose in the blood is the critical energy source. Lack of insulin or even resistance to insulin will cause blood sugar to build up, and this might result in numerous health issues. The reasons that made me realize that I am at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes was founded on the following critical factors: genetic factors, family histories, and lifestyle behaviors. 

In relation to the genetic factors, I believe that I have a higher chance of developing the type 2 diabetes because I was informed that it runs down in my father’s genes. Based on my analysis, I found out that inherited factors are an important risk factor of diabetes, however, the genes concerned are still inadequately defined and mutation of one gene could result in diabetes; therefore, there are higher chances that I might become diabetic as I grow old. 

My family history apparently presents me at a higher risk of getting diabetes since my father was diagnosed with diabetes type. For many years, my father struggled with smoking addiction and this led to the development diabetes type 1. Therefore, since I have a family history of diabetes, then I have an increased risk of developing diabetes type 1 in the future which ultimately calls for the need to be extra careful. 

As far as my lifestyle behavior is concerned, I am convinced that I am at a more risk of developing diabetes type 1 because I am physical inactive. I am not physically active and this has made me add some extra overweight. An extra weight, in this case, results in insulin resistance and is common among individuals with type 1 diabetes. The excess fat at the belly is b associated with insulin resistance, heart, and blood vessel disease which eventually puts me at a higher risk for diabetes. 

Family Interviews: 

Based on my analysis of the top 10 leading causes of death or any disabling diseases, I came up with three impending chronic illnesses that I am most probable to develop in my life. These chronic diseases are COPD, Diabetes and heart failure. COPD basically can be described as a progressive lung disease such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis (Springer, 2016). According to mayoclinichealthsystem.org (2017), diabetes is a disease where the body fails to produce adequate or produces no insulin or does not appropriately use the insulin produced. Heart failure is commonly known as congestive heart failure and mostly occurs when heart muscles do not pump blood as it should. 

Explanation of Risk: 

COPD- I believe that I might develop (COPD). I was convinced that I am at a higher risk of developing the disease because of my exposure to risk factors like tobacco use. During my holidays, I often visit and spend time with my grandparents in the countryside and my grandfather is a chain smoker. Smoking is evidently one of the risk factors of COPD therefore; I might end up developing the disease because of such a risk factor. On the other hand, I always spend considerable time sitting rather than engaging in physical activities which also exposes me to COPD. Lack of physical exercises has been associated with increased COPD. Finally, it is evident that the family history is a risk factor for COPD as such; my family history is associated with smoking which might also contribute towards the development of COPD (Springer, 2016). 

Diabetes - The second chronic disease that I might develop is diabetes. My fathers’ lineage has the diabetes gene running through the family as such; I am at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Inherited factors are important in determining whether I will develop diabetes since my grandfather was diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes and in such a case a mutation of one gene can result in this disease (mayoclinic.org, 2018). Other factors that I believe exposes me to diabetes is my sedentary lifestyle because I am not physically active and overweight. An extra weight which in this case was caused by my lifestyle would expose me to type 1 diabetes. My family history also increases the possibility of me developing diabetes since I have a family history of diabetes 

Heart failure- the other chronic disease that I realized I might develop in future is heart failure. Research has shown that most of the cardiac disorder could be hereditary such as congenital heart illness, cardiomyopathy, and high blood cholesterol and based on family knowledge on what I learned from father, his father died of heart attack and the same might run through the family gene which exposes me to the condition (Authors/Task Force Members et al, 2012). It is true that coronary artery disease which in most cases leads to heart attack, run in family which apparently indicates inherited genetic risk factors (Yancy et al, 2010). Therefore, since I have a family history of heart failure disease, then it follows that I am at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. In relation to lifestyle behaviors, my physical inactivity exposes me to increased risk of heart failure. 

Disease Interviews: 

Diabetes 

Nancy is a 45-year-old female and has been living with her father who was a chain smoker for over 20 years along with a poor diet. She was diagnosed with diabetes type 1 about 5 years ago. In an interview with her, she confessed that living with the condition has been challenging because she is forced to be more concerned with everything that she does and change her lifestyle. She stated that in her current condition, eating the right type of food and engaging in the physical exercises have been very tricky. Thus, every time she eats, she needs to reflect on how it might affect her sugar levels. Based on the fact that she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, her pancreases would not produce insulin, therefore, on a daily basis, she is required to inject herself with hormones about five times each day which helps her organ to function much better. Further, she used to go to the gym and engage in intense exercises but with her current condition, she could not accomplish these tasks since too many exercises might rapidly reduce the blood sugar level. Therefore, she is forced to constantly check her sugars and regulate her insulin ingestion which is a very tricky task as she must ensure that she check the insulin levels in order to function properly. She ended the interview by saying that, “I wish people knew that even when you do everything right with diabetes, it can still go wrong and it doesn’t help when society often portrays the condition as something you brought on yourself and should feel guilty about.” 

Heart failure 

Jane is a 56-year-old woman. She had a history of smoking for about 15 years. She stated during the interview that in most cases she feels extremely exhausted and loses her beneath and this forced her to visit the doctor concerning her symptoms. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and HF and this was so surprising to her. She immediately realized that the condition could be genetic since her mother also struggles with heart failure. Poor lifestyle choices and reluctance to get medical attention nearly cost Jane her life (Yancy et al, 2010). After struggling with heart failure, now puts a priority on her health, taking charge of risk factors she can control. Living with a heart condition to her meant coming to terms with what had happened and how different aspects of life may be affected (Authors/Task Force Members et al, 2012). During the interview, she stated that she often experiences various types of emotional distress or behavioral disturbance and the problems such as depression and anxiety have been especially common to her. These conditions not only have they affected her emotional state but also impacted on her symptoms of heart disease. She has sought several treatment interventions for depression and anxiety particularly cognitive behavior therapy and antidepressant medication. She was forced to give up her job and concentrate on her health which has greatly affected the quality of her life and her circle of friends since the condition has completely changed the way she sees herself as a person, and her place in the home or within the family, and led to low mood. 

COPD 

Mr. White is a 55-year-old male. He has a history of smoking for almost 22 years along with a poor diet. In addition to this, he has also had a history of Type II diabetes mellitus along with primary hypertension. However, recently, he was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. In an interview, Mr. White said that he has continued losing the ability to work efficiently and almost every night, he has had difficulty sleeping and does not engage in the family or even social activities. Living with breathlessness completely changed his life and affected the daily routines and the manner in which he manages his daily activities, for instance, he has challenges dressing, bathing or even preparing his meal. In the recent years, he has become more susceptible to various infections including flue and cold. In order to live a better quality life, Mr. White has had to change his diet and even gained consistent exercise as part of his lifestyle. He was asked to immediately quit smoking and has been struggling with the addiction for years. 

Your commitment: 

From the above analysis of chronic diseases, I have realized that I am exposed to a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. Good health is more than just the physical well-being of an individual but entails emotional and even social wellbeing where persons would be able to obtain a complete perspective as human beings thus resulting in a healthy living. The three chronic diseases are primarily associated with genetic factors, family histories, and lifestyle behaviors, therefore, there are a number of things that I would be required to do or even change in order to decrease the risk factors for these diseases. I am at a higher chance of developing the type 1 diabetes, heart failure and COPD based on the fact that I am not physically active and overweight. An extra weight frequently results in insulin resistance and is common among individuals with type 2 diabetes. There is not the precise cure for diabetes, heart failure, and COPD; however, the condition can be controlled efficiently, but this will demand a lifetime dedication to monitoring blood sugar levels, physical exercise, and diet. 

Increased commitment to a variety of physical activities is the best way to manage my behavioral factors as the key factor to overweight which is one of the risk factors for developing diabetes, heart failure, and COPD (Mosenifar, 2017). I would have to devote moiré time engaging in habitual exercises for about 200 minutes each week predominantly considering the moderate-intensity activities might help to avert weight gain. Engaging in increased exercises will ultimately enhance my digestion and breakdown of calories which would ultimately prevent the risk of developing the three chronic diseases. There are numerous activities that I might also engage in including swimming, running or even fast-paced walking. Aerobic exercise, especially supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme, has a proven beneficial effect in managing heart failure and diabetes, therefore, I will have to include this in my intervention to keep healthy and fit and reduce the extra weight. 

Consequently, I would be forced to change my lifestyle particularly in relation to what I eat and adopt a proper nutrition, ways to reduce weight, types of foods to avoid such as those with high cholesterol. Healthy eating habit plan would be important to me, therefore, I will have to adopt healthy eating plan focusing on the required quantity of low-calorie food and nutrient-dense meals. The key to treating diabetes is changing your lifestyle. Lifestyle changes, in this case, will entail eating healthy meals and engaging more in physical exercises. There might be the need that I incorporate the following imperative food items into the proposed plan: vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Dietary restraints would be imperative to the successful deterrence of obesity which eventually leads to diabetes. Three meals every day are extremely encouraged, however; there could be an allowance for partial snacking. I would begin to select what I eat more properly with key attention on those that might support a healthy weight. the most important lifestyle required to prevent heart failure, COPD and diabetes include consuming a diet containing little or no sodium, low alcohol intake, and reduced or no smoking at all amongst others. 

References 

Authors/Task Force Members, McMurray, J. J., Adamopoulos, S., Anker, S. D., Auricchio, A., Böhm, M., ... & Gomez-Sanchez, M. A. (2012). ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure 2012: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure 2012 of the European Society of Cardiology. Developed in collaboration with the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC. European heart journal , 33 (14), 1787-1847. 

healthline.com(2017). What Are the Different Types of Diabetes? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/types-of-diabetes 

mayoclinic.org (2018). Type 2 diabetes . Retrieved from 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms- causes/syc-20351193 

mayoclinichealthsystem.org (2017). Tips for living well with Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from 

https://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/tips-for- living-well- with-type-2-diabetes 

Mosenifar, Z., (2017). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Presentation. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/297664- clinical 

Springer, J., (2016). Pulmonary Examination Technique. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1909159-technique 

Yancy, C. W., Jessup, M., Bozkurt, B., Butler, J., Casey, D. E., Drazner, M. H., ... & Johnson, M. R. (2013). 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology , 62 (16), e147-e239.