Chapter 14: Heart Disease, Stroke, Cancer, and AIDS: Causes, Management, and Coping

The chapter then provides comprehensive coverage of each disease. Coronary heart disease results from arterial narrowing through atherosclerosis, manifesting as angina pectoris during temporary oxygen deprivation or myocardial infarction during sustained oxygen loss, with risk factors encompassing demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial elements such as chronic anger, depression, occupational stress, and social isolation. Stroke occurs through either blockage or vessel rupture in the brain, producing motor and cognitive impairments including aphasia and visual neglect, alongside psychological complications like depression and denial that can impede rehabilitation. Cancer involves uncontrolled cellular proliferation across various tissue types, and treatment produces both physiological side effects and learned psychological responses, with psychosocial interventions supporting emotional adjustment. AIDS, caused by HIV destruction of immune system cells, requires highly active antiretroviral therapy with strict adherence while patients navigate stigma-related barriers to testing and treatment adherence. The chapter concludes by addressing bereavement and its immunological consequences, noting that while most individuals achieve positive adaptation following loss, some experience complicated grief requiring specialized intervention. Throughout, the emphasis remains on the interplay between biological disease processes, medical management, and psychological factors that influence patient outcomes and quality of life.