APNs possess the ability to decrease the number of CHD deaths by advocating for health care policy changes and providing patient education. The APN’s role in health promotion remains paramount at the individual, community, state, and national levels. At the individual level, an APN may utilize the 5A’s model: ask, advise, agree, assist, arrange; which serves as a timely, evidenced-based practice to address behavioral health risks (USDHHS, 2012a). For CAD, the APN may utilize the model to address smoking cessation, weight management, and physical activity. An APN may also apply the medical model, which focuses on the pathophysiology of diseases, to identify risk factors for CAD (Cassidy et al., 2015). Next, the APN initiates an appropriate treatment and educates patients on medications, lifestyle changes, and the disease process. In a broader scope, an APN’s …show more content…
HSHS currently provides access to a weight loss management support groups (HSHS, 2016). Regular exercise and the maintenance of a healthy weight will serve to prevent chronic diseases, including CAD. This local hospital additionally offers education and assistance with meeting weight loss goals, including free access to dietitians. The program and support group were founded by the hospital and began approximately two years ago (HSHS, 2016). Chapter 236 of Mended Hearts support network is the closest support group for local heart patients (Mended Hearts, 2016). Mended Hearts, a non-profit organization, remains the largest support network for heart patients world-wide (Mended Hearts, 2016). This international organization was founded by Dr. Dwight Harken in 1951, and continues to provide education and support to thousands of patients (Mended Hearts, 2016). Members of Mended Hearts may interact in person, through phone calls, or online (Mended Hearts,