1.
Which of the following is the most important question to ask during
cardiovascular health history?
Student
Answer:
Number of offspring
Last physical exam
Sudden death of a family member
Use of caffeine
Instru
...
1.
Which of the following is the most important question to ask during
cardiovascular health history?
Student
Answer:
Number of offspring
Last physical exam
Sudden death of a family member
Use of caffeine
Instructor
Explanation:
The sudden death of a family member is an important question to ask in the health history
because it reveals the cardiovascular disease risk of the patient. Sudden death is usually
due to an acute cardiovascular event, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac dysrhythmia,
or stroke.
Family history is particularly important for cardiac assessment because CVD, HTN,
hyperlipidemia, & other vascular diseases often have a familial association that is not
easily ameliorated by lifestyle changes. If there are deaths in the family related to CVD,
determine the age & exact cause of death, because CVD at a young age in the immediate
family carries an increased risk compared with CVD in an elderly family member. Ask
about sudden death, which might indicate a congenital disease such as Marfan's
syndrome. This is especially important to ask during pre-sports physicals because sudden
death in athletes is often related to congenital or familial heart disease. Familial
hyperlipidemia is autosomal dominant & often leads to CAD & MI at a young age.
Family history of obesity & type 2 diabetes are also secondary risk factors for heart
disease because the familial tendency for these is strong. Ask about smoking in the house,
as secondhand smoke is a risk factor for respiratory & cardiac disease. (Goolsby 167-168
[Show More]