Question

Chapter 14: Nutrition for Athletes with Illness or Injury Case 2 - Susan, the Middle-Age Overweight Hiker Susan is a 55-year-old overweight teacher who has struggled with obesity since childhood. After her best friend suffered a debilitating heart attack, she decided to change her lifestyle and achieve a healthier weight. She has been following her training program and doing very well. Recently, another friend was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Susan has become very anxious about her health and even more committed to achieving her weight loss goals.

1. Susan says that she recently visited her physician for her annual exam. He ordered a series of blood tests and told her she had high cholesterol, prediabetes, and increased risk for heart disease. What further information would you like to know to understand her risk?

Answer 1

I would like to know the following informations to understand her risk -

1. The complete family history of Susan since patient with a family history of heart disease have higher chances of developing a heart disease in comparison to other people
2. Her blood pressure levels at various conditions like during workout sessions and during teaching sessions. It will help me in better understanding if her heart is performing well or not. A high blood pressure indicates that the heart of the person is working harder to pump blood and can cause heart attack, stroke or kidney problem
3. Her smoking habits. Smoking is one of the major contributor in developing a heart disease, lung disease and even making conditions worst for a diabetic patient
4. I would also check her position in terms of obesity and belly fat. It is said that excess belly fat around the waist significantly increases the chances of developing heart disease
5. The last but most important thing that I would like to know to understand her risk is about her eating habits and daily lifestyle as both of them are majorly responsible for these serious conditions.