Question

The subject is a 45-year-old male named Carlos. He has been married for 15 years and have one daughter named Isabella. He is a high school mathematics teacher who smokes one pack a day and drinks two 12 oz beers a day. Carlos is 5 ft 5 in. tall, weighs 200 lb, and has a body mass index (BMI) of 33.3. He does not perform any structured exercise on a regular basis, nor does he engage in any rigorous physical activity. On a scale of 1 to 10, he rates his fitness level as a 4. His resting blood pressure is 135/85, fasting glucose is 115 mg ∙ dl−1, and total cholesterol is 340 mg ∙ dl−1. His father died of a heart attack at age 50, whereas his mother is 75 years old and has no major health risks. He has a family history of asthma, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. Most of his meals are at fast food restaurants and rarely consume vegetables, fruit, or low-fat dairy products.

1. How many total risk factors does Carlos have and what are they (identify each one)?



2. What is the subject “risk classification”?

Answer 1

Let's identify the total risk factors for Carlos based on the information provided:

Smoking: Carlos smokes one pack of cigarettes a day, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory health.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Carlos drinks two 12 oz beers a day, which is considered excessive alcohol consumption and is a risk factor for various health issues, including liver problems.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Carlos does not engage in structured exercise or rigorous physical activity, indicating a sedentary lifestyle.
High BMI: Carlos has a BMI of 33.3, which falls into the category of obesity, and is a risk factor for numerous health conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Low Physical Fitness: Carlos rates his fitness level as only a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating low physical fitness.
Family History of Heart Disease: Carlos's father died of a heart attack at age 50, which is a family history of heart disease, a significant risk factor.
Unhealthy Diet: Carlos primarily consumes meals at fast food restaurants, rarely consumes vegetables, fruits, or low-fat dairy products, indicating an unhealthy diet.
Elevated Blood Pressure: Carlos has a resting blood pressure of 135/85, which is above the normal range and a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Elevated Fasting Glucose: Carlos has a fasting glucose level of 115 mg ∙ dl−1, which is above the normal range and suggests a risk for developing diabetes.
High Total Cholesterol: Carlos's total cholesterol level is 340 mg ∙ dl−1, which is significantly elevated and is a risk factor for heart disease.
Based on these risk factors, Carlos is at a high risk classification for various health problems, especially cardiovascular disease and diabetes. His combination of risk factors, including his family history, lifestyle choices, and health indicators, increases his overall risk for these conditions. It is important for Carlos to make significant lifestyle changes and consult with a healthcare professional to address and manage these risk factors.