Creation of Awareness on Myocardial Infarction: Prior Related Behavior (Term Paper Sample)

Creation of Awareness on Myocardial Infarction
Student Name
Institution
Creation of Awareness on Myocardial Infarction
Introduction
Myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases affect millions of people in the United States. In general, heart diseases are the leading causes of mortality among women in the United States. Myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is defined as the blockage of oxygen-rich blood from flowing to other sections of the heart. The condition can lead to the death of a section of the heart muscle and even result in fatality. There signs and symptoms of development myocardial infarction in the future although some people may live without experiencing heart attack. Early diagnosis of the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction can help in the prevention complication s and fatalities. However, it is important to know that the condition is spontaneous and it only takes a short time to manifest in an individual.
Knowledge about of the signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack can help women to take quick measures and prevent its occurrence. Most of the signs of myocardial infection are similar in both genders. Mostly, people tend to overlook them thus risking the development of complications. The most common symptom is the discomfort or pain in the center of the chest that goes and comes back ("Heart Attack Symptoms," 2017). Other than chest pains, discomfort in one or both arms, back, and neck could indicate a possible myocardial infarction. Some people also experience shortness of breath, pains in the jaw, stomachache, and lightheadedness ("Heart Attack Symptoms," 2017). It is important to know the symptoms of a possible myocardial infarction to help seek medical help promptly.
Prior Related Behavior
Personal Factors:
Biological-Gender. Generally, more women suffer from myocardial infarction compared to men. According to "The heart attack" (2016), one in three deaths among the women is caused by myocardial infarction. Further, more women die from myocardial infarction than men (Rosamond et al., 2012). The reason as to why more women are affected and die from myocardial infarction is because they tend to live longer than men. Myocardial infarction is an age-related condition that affects older people thus the higher rates in women than in men (Talbott et al., 2013). The condition remains a significant threat to the health and life of the women.
Psychological. Stressful conditions and depression can contribute to the development of myocardial infection in an individual (Chi & Kloner, 2003). It is important that the women at risk avoid stressful situations and seek help when they experience suspected symptoms.
Socio-cultural. Culture may play a significant role in increasing the risk of myocardial infarction in women. Today, there are trends where most people eat out and considerably consume more alcohol . Women who fast foods and consume alcohol are at risk of developing the condition.
Behavior-Specific Cognitions and Affect
Perceived Benefits of Creation of Awareness
The creation of awareness helps the people at risk to understand that the facts about myocardial infection so that they can seek medical help when they suspect such a condition. With the knowledge, the people know the actions to take and thus a reduced number of the people that are affected by the condition’s complications. They can use the knowledge to seek medical assistance where an evidence-based medication initiated (Reichlin et al., 2009).
Apart from taking action to treat symptoms, the creation of awareness can help the women aged between 30 and 70 to avoid risk factors that may cause the condition (Cate, Gamel, & Sol, 2014). Sedentary lifestyles, excessive weight gain, consumption of unhealthy fats and cholesterol, smoking, and drinking are some of the risk factors that can lead to myocardial infarction.
Perceived Barriers to Action
The creation of awareness helps the people at risk to understand that the facts about myocardial infection so that they can seek medical help when they suspect such a condition. With the knowledge, the people know the actions to take and thus a reduced number of the people that are affected by the condition’s complications. They can use the knowledge to seek medical assistance where an evidence-based medication initiated (Reichlin et al., 2009).
Apart from taking action to treat symptoms, the creation of awareness can help the women aged between 30 and 70 to avoid risk factors that may cause the condition (Cate, Gamel, & Sol, 2014). Sedentary lifestyles, excessive weight gain, consumption of unhealthy fats and cholesterol, smoking, and drinking are some of the risk factors that can lead to myocardial infarction.
Lack of facilities and personnel to provide services for the people who have experienced the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction can bar action (Langabeer et al., 2013). Myocardial infarction is a condition that occurs within a short time and requires prompt action. However, some people cannot access health facilities that provide services to prevent or treat the condition. Others also lack the finances to help them get the services as they would have wished. In the cases where community services are offered, there are a few professionals that can handle effectively the patients (Rosamond et al., 2013).
Perceived Self-Efficacy
There are actions that a person can take if they feel the signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction at home. In the event of a suspected heart attack, an individual should call for medical help immediately ("Warning Signs," 2016). During the time when they are waiting for help, they should relax and maintain calmness. Additionally, the family members should also know what to do if a person at risk exhibits signs of myocardial infarction and they are helpless. Some of the actions they can take include calling the family doctor or seeking medical help from the nearest health facility.
Activity-Related Affect
The creation of awareness programs should make a difference to the people at risk, their primary health providers, and the family members. The knowledge gained is a motivation for the women at risk to seek medical help when they feel signs of myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the information can help them also become frequent visitors to health facilities for medical checks.
Interpersonal Influences
Family Habits. The family is the primary contact for the persons at risk and their ways of life may help prevent myocardial infarction. Some of the habits that the family can instill in the women include active lifestyles, good dietary habits and prompt hospital visits for checkups and treatment (Goel, Goel, & Yadav, 2016)
Social or Peer Pressure. Societal pressure can be a positive or negative influencer of decisions that affect the occurrence of myocardial infarction (Åkesson, Larsson, Discacciati, & Wolk, 2014). Positive pressure includes constantly asking the person at risk to maintain a healthy weight and avoid excessive consumption of high-calorie food. It also involves preventing alcohol intake, smoking, and the use of other drugs that put the person at risk.
Role Models. Role models can help some of the people at risk take measures that help them prevent the occurrence of myocardial infarction ("Survivor Stories," n.d). The role models include the survivors of the condition or those who actively advocate for its awareness in the society.
Lack of Guidance from Primary Care Health Professional. Primary health care providers are resourceful in educating the people at risk on what to do whenever they have suspected signs or symptoms (Lichtman et al., 2015). Primary health care providers should take an active role in providing helpful information to help people to help prevent the occurrence of myocardial infarction.
Situational Influences
Options. There are several options that a person can use in the prevention and management of myocardial infarction. Some people use regular medications that help prevent blood clots that may block blood flow to the brain.
Demand Characteristics. The plan involves providing information for the people at risk through the common communication channels. This can help people at risk to develop the urge of overcoming the potential attack. Once they have the urge, they can change their behaviors as desired.
Aesthetics. The people that are exposed to stressful and depressing situations might feel better when they are taken to serene environments. The experiences in different environments can help them overcome their stresses and live a healthier life.
Behavioral Outcomes
Immediate Competing Demands and Preferences
The implementation of the plan can be greatly affected by more pressing health issues in the health sector. Some of the pressing issues include high numbers of hospital errors and infections, the rising number of people with Alzheimer's disease and the ever-increasing numbers of the aging population (Gupta, 2015). These factors require an increased investment and strain the resources that could have been used for the prevention, treatment, and management of myocardial infarction.
Other Activities Perceived as Priorities
Other than the pressing health factors, there are other activities in the health sector that are perceived as a priority. Some of the factors include an inadequate number of doctors and professionals as well as lack of caregivers in the family. The numbers of aging people are projected to increase steadily whereas that of the caregivers will largely remain stagnant. This gap may lead to lack of adequate professional caregivers in the family.
Commitment to Plan of Action
A person at risk needs to stick to the plan of action for them to effectively prevent the occurrence of myocardial infarction. At tim...