Which should the nurse include when educating a patient on reducing the risk of acute coronary syndrome?

Which should the nurse include when educating a patient on reducing the risk of acute coronary syndrome?

• A. Stop smoking
• B. Ignore symptoms
• C. Eat a diet high in saturated fat
• D. Avoid physical activity

Answer: (A)

Quitting smoking is a major, immediate step to lower the risk of acute coronary syndrome. Smoking causes or worsens several factors that drive heart events: it promotes atherosclerosis, raises heart rate and blood pressure, reduces oxygen delivery to heart tissue, and makes the blood more prone to clotting. When a person stops smoking, these harmful effects begin to reverse—heart rate and blood pressure improve, carbon monoxide levels fall, and endothelial function improves. The risk of a coronary event drops quickly after quitting and continues to decline over time, eventually approaching that of someone who has never smoked.

So, in patient education, emphasize stopping smoking as the primary modifiable protective measure. Support the patient with practical quitting strategies, such as setting a quit date, using appropriate cessation aids, seeking behavioral counseling, avoiding smoking triggers, staying physically active, and managing weight.