Risk Factors Involving People with Ischaemic Heart Disease: In-Depth Interview

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Introduction

Ischaemic heart disease is characterized by in adequate blood supply to the heart. The disease does not have a single dominant cause but has strong relations to several aspects of lifestyle, and a significant link to genetic inheritance (Fox, 1987). Types of diet and drug use or abuse are some of the causative agents of heart disorder. Ischaemic heart disease targets people in developed countries according to some studies. A high mortality rate is associated with the disease making it one of the leading causes of death in modernized countries. This makes it a subject of interest for many medical researchers (Corbin & Strauss, 2008).

The causes of ischaemic heart disease indicate that there is a significant influence of the social-cultural factors in the starting and the course of development of the disease in those people who are already affected. In the following interview, I sought to examine the influence of lifestyle and social-cultural factors on the health of people suffering from ischaemic heart disease.

An in-depth interview can be conducted to facilitate qualitative research of the facts and theories regarding the disease. Through this kind of research, one can make an objective conclusion on the situation regarding the disease (Schiffrin, 2001).

Use of In-depth Interview

In the following account of research on ischaemic heart disease, the researcher conducts qualitative research and qualitative analysis of the data obtained to determine the cause of the disease. An interview with an expert gives a brief but deep insight into the risk factors affecting the health of people suffering from ischaemic heart disease (Kvale & Brinkmann, 2009).

As a researcher, I chose to interview an experienced cardiologist to obtain an objective opinion pertaining to ischaemic heart disease. The responses from the cardiologist constituted the data for my interview transcript (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005).

In my research, the cardiologist first mentioned that the disease is one of the leading causes of death in western countries. In this case, most western countries are developed countries. The disease is one of the many cardiac ailments that result in fatal cardiac action complications. About sixty percent of males who succumb from cardiac ailments suffer from ischaemic heart disease. The expert further explains that the occurrence of death due to this disease in the female population is slightly lesser but still high at forty eight percent. He says that according to this high rate of mortality, there is a reason to consider risk factors that people suffering from the disease face (Anderson, 1973).

The Use of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research examines what certain practice or behavior results to. The qualitative approach gives the researchers a deep understanding of what is likely to happen is a certain procedure or practice is embraced by an individual or a group of individuals. When conducting a qualitative research, data is obtained from a specific preferred source particularly due to the suitability of the particular source as a source of data (Patton, 2002). In case of a study regarding a disease, the study is likely to involve either a patient or an expert in the particular branch of medicine in which the disease lies. In this particular study, the research involves a cardiac ailment.

The researcher seeks to understand the cause of a disease which does not have any one particular cause (Flick, 1998). Since the development of the disease involves many factors, which together contribute to the development of the disease, a qualitative research may be necessary ascertain the degree of influence of the disease on the health of the affected people. Since the research to be done on the disease is a qualitative research , it is then necessary to seek information from a qualified source so as to be able to obtain relevant information rather than get too much of irrelevant information from random sources.

Qualitative research may use several methods to obtain data. Methods such as field studies, observation of the phenomena in question and ethnography may be used to obtain the relevant data. This particular study involves the opinion of a particular expert in the field. Although the data is examined objectively, the study involves a single source due to the position of authority of the source regarding the particular disease.

In-depth interview was used for this particular study. This involved direct questions to the interviewee seeking a brief answer which deeply examines the risk factors behind the disease. Due to the selection of a single interviewee prior to the study, the research lacks randomisation, a phenomenon found in many other methods of research. In the inquiry regarding this disease, the researcher will focus on the phenomenology regarding the development of the disease. The data collected from the correspondent in the interview will be closely examined to determine the degree of influence of various factors on the course of development of the cardiac condition.

Thematic Analysis

Thematic analysis of data collected in a research project is used to categorically analyse data in the various contexts. This method is used to determine if any patterns can be discerned in the data collected. The researcher does not have to have a prior knowledge of the field in he or she is working in (Wolcott, 2009). This is a major difference compared to the positivist approach that requires one to have a predetermined expectation of the experiment or research project.

While thematic analysis is an idealistic approach where the outcome of the research is largely unknown, the experimental approach is a realist method that seeks to affirm a known possibility. This is an advantage to the researcher using qualitative analysis since no prior knowledge of the field is required. Thematic analysis is an important approach in qualitative research (Brown & Yule, 1983).

Examination of the Data

In this analysis the researcher has to examine the data collected carefully and identify the patterns that can be used to classify the data into categories. These categories can also be referred to as the themes that have been discerned in the data by the user. The themes are then used to make a conclusion at the end of the research. It is these themes that are used to make a purposeful documentation of the conclusion. Moreover, the themes validate the conclusion of the researcher adding to the existing body of knowledge in the particular field. The conclusion of the thematic analysis is the part where the themes are validated using the data collected by the researcher (Boyatzis, 1998).

In the particular research regarding the ischaemic heart disease the researcher examines the possibility of a pattern existing in the risk factors that lead to the development of the disease. These patterns were then used to determine the general behaviour that would present most of the patterns to a significant degree. This can then be used to identify the general behaviour that leads to the worsening or improvement of the condition people suffering from the particular disease.

Final Deduction

In the analysis of the data collected from the respondent, the content of the data collected from the interview will be analysed objectively to yield an independent conclusion on the risk factors that affect the development of the heart ailment, and the conditions that may worsen the situation (Khan, 2006).

Interview Transcript

According to my interview with the cardiologist, ischaemic heart disease presents obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of a defect of the cardiac system. An otherwise healthy person starts to show signs of physical stress on being subjected to mild physical strain. The strain considered in this case is physical exhaustion of the patient (Bourgeault et al, 2010). Chest pains particularly to the left of the chest cavity may indicate a developing heart condition. The symptoms may present in a mild manner initially, but may progress into serious and uncomfortable cardiac condition (Gillinov & Nissen, 2012).

This is can be evidenced by the perspective of my correspondent, “Ischaemic heart disease presents itself in a manner that suggest that there is an obvious defect of the heart. Many heart diseases result to chest pain in their advanced stages. The patient will normally experience abnormal exhaustion after a mild physical strain. Although this may not prompt a certain diagnosis with the disease, it indicates that there are high chances that the symptoms are a result of the ischaemic heart disease.

The doctor pointed out that the physical condition behind the symptoms of the disease is primarily the obstruction of the coronary artery such that the blood supply to the cardiac tissue is impaired. Progressively, this leads to weakening of the heart muscles and may result to permanent damage to the heart if a corrective measure is not undertaken, “A cardiac arrest is the final stage of the disease if the condition is left unattended or the patient is poorly monitored.”

Themes Developed

Effect of Dietary patterns

“In some people, fatty diets result in excess cholesterol in the blood. Some proteins also result to high blood cholesterol in some individuals. Blood cholesterol is linked to the genome of a particular person. This is because the enzymes that break down this substance are produced in different levels depending on each individual’s gene composition. A person who ingests high cholesterol food products risks the development of atherosclerosis (Khan, 2006).

This is a condition where fat deposits on the walls of blood vessels over a long period of time “The doctor notes that the deposit of fat in the vessels takes time, so one may not notice the changing composition of diet in one’s life, “Eventual blockage of the coronary artery results in a heart failure or an acute impairment of the heart’s activities.” This situation worsens the condition of people suffering from ischaemic heart disease (Naff, 2008).

Smoking

“Smoking is widespread among majority of cultures around the world. Although it seems harmless due to its slow action, smoking severely affects the heart muscles and the arteries supplying blood to the heart.” This is due to the presence of the substance nicotine in the inhaled contents of the smoke (Fox, 1987). “A small amount of nicotine has the effect of hardening the blood vessels. Significant narrowing of the vessels is also seen in the individuals who smoke regularly. This habit, combined with other factors, may result in a worsening heart condition in people suffering from ischaemic heart disease. The condition worsens with stress build up and high blood pressure.” People who do not smoke have a better chance of fighting against the ailment.

Lack of Enough Exercise

This is another risk that affects people with ischaemic heart disease “Exercise plays an important role in ensuring that the composition of blood stays balanced. People who lack exercise have high fat and cholesterol levels in their blood. In western cultures where daily strain at work takes all time, it is usually difficult for the working class to develop an exercising habit. A person with ischaemic heart disease, who keeps on working without any exercise, is likely to worsen the condition. Chances of survival of such people are also slim.” Accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the bloodstream could easily initiate a cardiac arrest in a patient suffering from ischaemic heart disease.

Cultural Behaviours

“Health behaviours of people suffering from ischaemic heart disease Different cultures may influence people in a manner that affects their health. In some cultures, women suffering from ischaemic heart disease may act in a way as to control the disease even without their consciousness of their actions”. Lower stress levels among the female population put women at an advantage in the control of the disease (Falk et al, 2010). In other societies, the role of certain people or age group may put pressure on an ischaemic heart disease patient, “Since the disease is worsened by an adverse psychological situation, more responsibilities an individual has in a community, the more serious the condition of the person suffering from ischaemic heart disease becomes. This is due to increased blood pressure. If the blood pressure goes beyond the normal then the results may be fatal.”

Thematic Analysis of the Interview Transcript

The quotations above constitute the answers given by the doctor regarding the risk factors that lead to development of ischaemic heart disease. It is clear that the disease does not have a definite cause. In addition, the disease is affected by several behavioural factors in its development.

A single phenomenon is supported by most of the themes regarding the disease. Factors that lead to accumulation of fat deposits in the blood vessels lead to worse conditions in people suffering from ischaemic heart disease. Particularly, inadequate exercise and poor diet have a similar effect of allowing cholesterol and fat to accumulate in the vessels. Both practices lead to development of antheroma. This suggests that any behaviour or diet that results in a high cholesterol and fat content in the blood affects people suffering from ischaemic.

Another pattern seen in the evidence from the doctor’s speech is the high blood pressure. Smoking, which results in narrowing of the vessels and eventually an abnormally high blood pressure, worsens the condition of the patient with the ischaemic heart disease. On the other hand, cultural roles of a member of a community are also another factor affecting the course of development of the disease in a person who is already living with the disease. High stress levels lead to increase in blood pressure in any human being. In turn, the high blood pressure puts strain on the heart. A person with ischaemic heart disease is likely to have more complications due to high blood pressure. Any factor that increases blood pressure of an individual with ischaemic heart disease results in a worsening condition (Creswell & Creswell, 2009).

Conclusion

The themes analysed indicate that the risk factors that are featured in the doctor’s speech have an underlying common effect. The two distinctive common effects of the risk factors are increased blood pressure beyond normal range, and change in composition of the blood to include a high fat and cholesterol content.

Although the risk factors are distinctive, they seem to converge to a single conclusion. Any behaviour or cultural factor that leads to abnormal rise in blood pressure or causes high blood cholesterol levels affects people with ischaemic heart disease negatively.

However, some factors have a significantly higher effect on the possibility of the disease developing in a particular patient The explanations of the doctor point out to the practices that are necessary to avoid advancement of the disease. Some of the factors affecting the development of the disease have been given special attention by the cardiologist (Smith, 1992).

It is evident that the lifestyle of an individual is the major determinant of the presence of risk factors. Smoking and hypertension are all closely associated with the lifestyle of an individual (Shneidman, 1951). Although age is a risk factor, it is not controllable at the moment. This is supported by the fact that the doctor does not mention anything to do with a solution to the age factor (Johnstone, 2002). All the other three factors are controllable through a change of life style.

References

Anderson, C. R. (1973). Heart attack. Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Pub. Association.

Bourgeault, I. L., Dingwall, R., & Vries, R. G. (2010). The SAGE handbook of qualitative methods in health research. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Brown, G., & Yule, G. (1983). Thematic analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. L. (2008). Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Falk, E., Shah, P. K., & Feyter, P. (2010). Ischaemic Heart Disease. London: Manson Pub.

Flick, U. (1998). An introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage.

Fox, K. M. (1987). Ischaemic heart disease. Lancaster, England: MTP Press.

Gillinov, M., & Nissen, S. E. (2012). Heart 411: the only guide to heart health you’ll ever need. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Johnstone, B. (2002). Thematic analysis. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell.

Khan, M. I. (2006). Encyclopedia of heart diseases. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic.

Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2009). InterViews: learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Naff, C. F. (2008). Heart disease. Detroit: Gale Cengage Learning.

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Schiffrin, D., Tannen, D., & Hamilton, H. E. (2001). The handbook of discourse analysis. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishers.

Shneidman, E. S. (1951). Thematic test analysis,. New York: Grune & Stratton.

Smith, C. P. (1992). Motivation and personality: handbook of thematic content analysis. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press.

Wolcott, H. F. (2009). Writing up qualitative research (3. ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.

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