Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Mary Lynn Vogel

Committee Member

David Weintraub

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham

Keywords

cardiovascular disease, chronic heart disease, coronary artery disease, disease prevention, exercise and heart disease, health promotion, heart disease prevention, plant based diets, risk factors

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases such as coronary artery disease continue to remain the principal cause of mortality in the United States, claiming nearly 800,000 lives in 2016. Reducing the onset of chronic diseases, specifically coronary artery disease, requires a fundamental approach to health care, involving patient access to high-quality primary care and accessibility to disease prevention programs. This study examined multifactorial risk factors and prevention mechanisms associated with coronary artery disease.

The applied dissertation is a systematic review of the literature designed to answer the question: What prevention strategies reduce multifactorial risk factors associated with the onset of coronary artery disease? The analysis of the literature revealed cardiac educational and behavioral programs may effectively reduce multifactorial risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. Universal risk factors include unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and hypertension.

Disease prevention demands accessibility to quality primary care and health prevention programs. I systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials, case control studies, and cohort studies to determine the most effective prevention mechanisms associated with the reduced risk of coronary artery disease. Research findings indicated hypertension, diabetes, smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor diet and nutrition, and physical inactivity are critical multifactorial risk factors initiating the onset of coronary artery disease. Moreover, research conclusions determined these risk factors are modifiable and may be significantly reduced with the successful implementation of prevention strategies consisting of behavioral and educational programs.

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