What’s the Big Deal?

CHOLESTEROL

Andrea SportHealth Promotion Project Presentation

Why It Matters Definition and Description of Hyperlipidemia Health Promotion Teaching Strategy Description of Implementation of Project Design of the Project Delivery of the Project Evaluation of the Project Conclusion

Presentation Overview

Health Promotion: Why It Matters

Health promotion, which involves screening and counseling aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors, is becoming a vital factor in all aspects of patient care and is directly related to better health outcomes for individuals (Uphold & Graham, 2013).

Without education from knowledgeable sources such as health care providers, patients often lack the understanding of how to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Hyperlipidemia, which is among the most common chronic health conditions today, can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Uphold and Graham (2013) define hyperlipidemia as the “elevation of one or more of the following: cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, or triglycerides.”

Cholesterol, which is made naturally by the body and obtained from foods, is described as a waxy substance that the body utilizes for energy and to make hormones and bile acids that aid in food digestion (Uphold & Graham, 2013).

Lipoproteins = Carriers of cholesterol through the body High density lipoproteins are considered the “good” cholesterol due to their

ability to carry lipids away from the blood vessels. Low density lipoproteins are considered the “bad” cholesterol because they

keep cholesterol in the blood vessels.

Definition and Description of Hyperlipidemia

Too much cholesterol = Plaque build-up = Narrowing of arteries Plaque can break off and cause clots. If the clot blocks an artery to the heart, a heart attack can occur, or if the clot blocks an artery to

the brain, a stroke can occur (AHA, 2014). Unfortunately, hyperlipidemia is a common health problem among Americans that often leads to

heart disease which is the number one cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2012). There are approximately 71 million Americans with high low density lipoprotein, or bad,

cholesterol. Risk factors: obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, hypothyroidism, renal disorders, hepatic

disorders, hypertension, stress, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use

Definition and Description Continued

The population of interest for this health promotion project is adults ranging in age from 18 to 60.

Experiential Learning: Developed from both Bruner’s discovery learning and Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the experiential learning theory focuses on developing an individual’s knowledge. Experiential learning allows educators to create, facilitate access to, and organize experiences in a manner in which learning is facilitated (Taylor & Hamdy, 2013).

Health Belief Model: the most widely used theory in health education and promotion today. The foundation of the model focuses on the idea that health behavior is determined by personal beliefs and perceptions about a disease process and strategies available to decrease the occurrence of the disease. The model focuses on four main constructs which include perceived seriousness, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers (Hayden, 2014).

Health Promotion Teaching Strategy

Site: State Wellness Center in Montgomery, Alabama The State Wellness Center is a convenient, economical source of

acute/urgent care for State Employee Insurance Beneficiaries. One of the main services provided at the Wellness Center is annual health screenings that are required by the insurance company.

Large portion of Red Zone Referrals = Hyperlipidemia Because of the high number of patients at the clinic with

hyperlipidemia, it was determined that a health promotion project focusing on prevention of hyperlipidemia would be very beneficial for the patients and providers at the State Wellness Center

Description of Implementation of Project

After collaborating with the health care providers at the State Wellness Center, the decision was made to deliver the project to patients via a brochure and educational session.

An educational brochure was created to be used during the educational session and as a source of information that patients could take home for reference later.

The brochure discussed the following topics: what is cholesterol, why it matters, risk factors, prevention and treatment, and tools and resources.

Design of Project

Tools and Resources For additional information and online tools to

help you manage your cholesterol, you can visit the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about.htm

Special programs and services offered by your State Wellness Center. Ask about them today!

References About cholesterol. (2014). American Heart

Association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG /Conditions/Cholesterol/Cholesterol_UCM_ 001089_SubHomePage.jsp

Uphold, C. & Graham, M. (2014). Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice, 5th ed. Barmarrae Books: Gainesville, FL

Cholesterol: What’s The Big Deal?

What is cholesterol?

A waxy substance that provides the body with energy and is used to make hormones and bile acids to help digest food

Naturally made by the body and obtained from some foods

Cholesterol travels through the body and is regulated by lipoproteins or “carriers” which are made of lipids (fats) and proteins

Two main types of lipoproteins are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL)

Triglycerides store unused calories and provide the body with energy

Example of Brochure

Example of BrochureWhy It Matters

High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke

Excess cholesterol can form plaque between layers of artery walls, making it harder for your heart to circulate blood. Plaque can break open and cause blood clots. If a clot blocks an artery that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke. If it blocks an artery that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack

The GOOD cholesterol (HDL) and the BAD cholesterol (LDL): HDL is thought to prevent or delay atherosclerosis because of their low fat content and their role in carrying lipids away from blood vessels to the liver for degradation. LDL is considered bad because they keep cholesterol in the blood vessels and form fatty deposits

Triglycerides are not directly atherogenic, but represent a biomarker of cardiovascular risk

Risk Factors

Inherited traits Diabetes

Obesity Hypertension

Low activity levels Smoking

High dietary saturated fats and cholesterol

Alcohol consumption

Are you at risk?

Prevention and Treatment What’s the goal?

Total cholesterol: < 200 HDL: > 40 (men), > 50 (women) LDL: < 100 Triglycerides: < 150

Diet modifications: Consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, fiber, fish, and lean meats. (READ YOUR LABELS)

Total cholesterol intake should be < 200mg/day Recommended fiber intake is 20-30g/day Recommended fruit intake is 2-4 servings per day Recommended vegetable intake is 3-5 servings per

day Keep saturated fat intake to less than 7% of dietary

intake

Exercise: Recommendation is 30 minutes/day of regular moderate-intensity activity at least 4-7 times per week

Smoking cessation Weight reduction Reduce alcohol intake Control other health conditions such as hypertension and

diabetes If lifestyle modifications alone are not sufficient to reduce

cholesterol levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH TODAY

The project delivery was done with one patient at a time. Patients included in the health promotion project were those being

seen as a red zone referral, those with a history of hyperlipidemia, and those with risk factors for developing hyperlipidemia.

While patients were in their rooms waiting to be seen or after being seen by the health care provider, a brief educational session was delivered to them.

Focus of education = lifestyle modifications (dietary modifications and exercise)

Delivery of Project

Brief, six question post-quiz (true/false questions) Total of 15 participants in the health promotion project All participants scored 100% on the post-quiz While talking with the participants after the quiz was completed, all

felt that the modifications discussed were doable and would benefit them in the future.

Evaluation of Project

Test Your Knowledge About Cholesterol

1. Cholesterol is only made by my body. I t does NOT come f rom foods.

True False 2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered the good

cholesterol. True False

3. Smoking and alcohol consumption are risk f actors f or developing high cholesterol.

True False 4. I f I have high cholesterol, taking medications is my

only option. True False

5. To help reduce cholesterol, my total dietary cholesterol intake should be less than 200mg/ day.

True False 6. High cholesterol puts me at risk f or a stroke and heart

attack. True False Thank you f or your time and participation!

Example of Post-Quiz

Health promotion is truly a vital component of health care. At the State Wellness Center, it is hoped that health promotion

focusing on hyperlipidemia will decrease the number of red zone referrals as well as the number of patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia.

Health promotion on hyperlipidemia could potentially decrease the incidences of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Make health promotion an everyday part of your practice!

Conclusion

About cholesterol. (2014). American Heart Association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About-Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp

Cholesterol. (2012). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about.htm

Hayden, J. (2014). Introduction to Health Behavior Theory, 2nd ed. New Jersey: Jones and Bartlett Learning. Retrieved from http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763743836/chapter%204.pdf

Taylor, D. & Hamdy, H. (2013). Adult learning theories: Implications for learning and teaching in medical education: AMEE Guide No. 83. Medical Teacher, 35, e1561-e1572. doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2013.828153

Uphold, C. & Graham, M. (2013). Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice, 5th ed. Gainesville, FL: Barmarrae Books

References