Holistic Health Assessment Case Study

This assignment presents a case study of Mr. Tony, focusing on a holistic health assessment. It analyzes his lifestyle, identifying modifiable risk factors such as sedentary habits and unhealthy diet. The assignment proposes interventions, particularly emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity to mitigate cardiovascular disease risks.

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Student's Name:
Instructor's Name:
Date:

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1] State when a temperature measurement is not considered in a normal range and what
are the indicators that Mr. Tony has temperature above normal range?
Fever is defined as a condition wherein an increase in the usual body temperature is observed.
This condition is mediated by the alteration in the hypothalamus, the thermoregulatory centre of
the body. This alteration is responsible for heat generation by the activation of the peripheral
mechanisms [6]. Body fever can be measured through the mouth, rectum or armpit. The average
recorded oral temperature is 36-37ºC under normal conditions [4]. It is proven that the body
temperature increases by 0.6 ºC towards evening [6]. The average rectal temperature under
normal circumstances should be 0.3-0.6 ºC higher than the oral temperature [5].
During the check-up, Mr. Tony showed a body temperature of 37.9 ºC with warm skin. But it is
not mentioned if the temperature was recorded from the mouth/rectum/axilla. Fever is inferred
only when oral temperature is around 37.2 ºC in the morning and 37.8 ºC in the evening. In this
problem, it is assumed that the temperature was recorded from the mouth in the morning. Hence,
it is safe to conclude that Mr. Tony is suffering from fever.
2] Define systolic and diastolic blood pressure [BP] measurements. What are the indicators
from case study that Mr. Tony may have a blood pressure above normal range?
Blood pressure is measured as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic BP is the measure of the
pressure in the arteries recorded immediately after systole of the left ventricle. Diastolic BP is the
measure of the pressure recorded during the diastole of the heart. As per AHA guidelines, a
systolic BP less than 120mm of Hg and a diastolic BP less than 80mm of Hg is considered
normal [7].

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Depending on the value, Blood pressure can be divided as Normal, Prehypertension, Stage 1 -
Hypertension, Stage 2- Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis [7]. Hypertension can only be
confirmed after a continuous observation for a short period of time as BP can vary depending on
time, stress and physical activities [7].
Mr. Tony is suffering from a fever and running nose while exhibiting a BP of 145/78 mm of Hg.
Although, the BP value is much greater than the normal value, the patient will have to be kept
under surveillance before confirming hypertension.
3] Based on Tony’s current lifestyle, what are the two modifiable risk factors? Discuss one
intervention in the prevention of one of the modifiable risk factors.
From the case history, Mr. Tony is leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Risk factors are potential
behaviours that can cause an illness or disorder [1]. Risk factors of cardiovascular diseases are
categories as modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Mr. Tony’s lifestyle includes the following
modifiable risks such as a sedentary habits, unhealthy diet, hypertension and isolation. The non-
modifiable factor includes a strong pedigree of cardiovascular diseases. The fact that males
suffer from cardiovascular diseases as compared to females is another contributing factor [2].
Intervention:
Mr. Tony will have to bring major changes in his everyday life by including moderate and
regular physical activity. Brisk walking can be an option for patients like Mr. Tony who are not
trained in hardcore exercises. Walking will have the added advantages of improving waist
circumference, reducing body fat, improving BMI while improving his cardiovascular capacity.
Mr. Tony can join a walking group that can keep him motivated for walking and also help him

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overcome social isolation. Another minimalistic change can be not using transportation while
going for grocery shopping or work [3].

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References:
1. AIHW: O’Brien K 2005. Living dangerously: Australians with multiple risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Bulletin No. 24. AIHW Cat. No. AUS 57. Canberra: AIHW.
2. Commonwealth of Australia. (nd). Cardiovascular disease, Retrieved from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/chronic-cardio#ris
3. National Heart Foundation of Australia . (nd). Heart attack risk factors, Retrieved from
https://heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/know-your-risks/heart-attack-risk-factors
4. Charbek, N. (2017). Normal vital signs, Medscape. Retrieved from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2172054-overview
5. WebMD, LLC. (2017). Fever temperatures: accuracy and comparison - topic overview,
Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/fever-temperatures-accuracy-and-
comparison-topic-overview
6. Murtagh , J. (2011). Murtagh’s general practice companion handbook, 5th edition, McGraw-
Hill Medical.
7. The American Heart Association (2017). Understanding blood pressure readings, Retrieved
from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/KnowYourNumbers/
Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp#.WQTZDDjAnIU