Generic Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Study Analysis

Section A: Cardiovascular Disease and Deep Vein Thrombosis

This paper is in three sections answer one question only from each. To complete this you must answer and submit Three questions, one from each section A, B, and C.

Submit each question in the labelled link below:  All questions carry equal marks Indicative marks are indicated in brackets () The paper carries 50% of the total marks for the module

1. Use Arial size 12 font and 1.5 spacing for your work in a word document.

2. Each question has a word count limit of 800+/- 10%

3. As a minimum, sources of content should be cited in text, including sources

of Figures and Tables, and preferably at the end in Harvard style.

4. Submission links will check for plagiarism.

Case study based on: Goldhaber, S. Z., Nadel, E. S., King, M. E., & Sharma, A. (2004). Case 17-2004: a 42-year-old woman with cardiac arrest several weeks after an ankle fracture. New England Journal of Medicine, 350(22), 2281-2290. A copy of this study is available in the same Blackboard link as this timed assessment paper.

1. Discuss generic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, distinguishing between those which are modifiable and those which are not ; including specific risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? (5) explaining the pertinent ones reported in this case.

2. Explain how the pulmonary embolism occurred, and what effect this had on the patient’s cardiovascular system?

3. What preventative options are available for individuals at risk of DVT?

4. Explain why this patient had residual weakness on her right side for several months following her hospital admission.

You must answer one of the three questions in this section.

Brenda is a 62-year-old woman with a 15-year history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus; she describes herself as being “overweight her whole life”. She has not been attending her diabetic clinic appointments for the past 3 years, due to family caring responsibilities and has gained 12Kg during that time. She has been experiencing pins and needles (a tingling, pricking sensation) in her feet for more than a year, but recently she has felt as if her feet are burning and they have become acutely painful to touch.

1. State the distinguishing features of:

a. Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

b. Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

c. Diabetes insipidus.

2. The patient may not have been maintaining her blood glucose levels. Explain why hyperglycaemia needs to be avoided.

3. Explain how insulin causes uptake of glucose into cells.

4. Some tissues do not require insulin for glucose transport. These include neurons. Explain the effect of hyperglycaemia on neurons.

5. What chronic complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is Brenda suffering from?

6. List 3 other chronic complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus that may be caused by hyperglycaemia.

1. Give a definition of angina.

2. Describe the symptoms that we typically associate with angina, particularly when presenting in men.

3. Describe the difference in pathophysiology between angina and myocardial infarction.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Life Sciences

4. Explain what is analysed when measuring cholesterol levels in a person’s blood, and the significance of each component.

5. Statins are prescribed to patients with raised cholesterol levels. Briefly describe how statins affect cholesterol levels.

6. Explain the difference between benign and malignant hypertension, and the significance of this.

Steve, a 52-year-old man, sought medical attention for increasing shortness of breath on exertion for over two years. He used to play football weekly, but over the last year has had to stop. He has attributed this change to getting old. In the last seven months, he had three trips to accident and emergency for “acute bronchitis.” He had smoked for about 15 years but stopped 20 years ago. Peak flow measurements are low, and he is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

1. Name three conditions considered COPDs, explaining their key overarching characteristics, and the differentiating features of each.

2. Describe the risk factors for COPDs identifying which are relevant to Steve.

3. Explain the pathological changes and patient presentation that occur as two named COPDs develop.

4. Explain how serious complications can develop from COPDs?