Cardiomyopathy Case Study

Approximately, 1 of every 500 people is affected with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, it is important for patients to understand the dynamics of the disease as it could potentially be life threatening. In most cases, the patients quality of life is not affected, but a few will experience symptoms that cause significant discomfort or undetected complications that could lead to sudden cardiac death. With that in mind, it would be beneficial to recognize what it is, specific causes, the steps of diagnoses, and the options for treatment.

TROPONINS – Markers of choice. Elevated between 4 and 6 hours after the onset of an acute MI and remains elevated for 8-12 days.

The right ventricle fills up  tricuspid valve closes  right ventricle contracts  pulmonary valve opens  the blood flows into the pulmonary artery  pulmonary valve closes  pulmonary artery splits into two vessels each going to the lungs.

Patients presenting Symptoms: Gradual onset of dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, frequent dyspepsia with nausea and occasional epigastric pain, trouble breathing while lying on his back and, which is relieved by sitting up (orthopnea), an hypertension.

HCM happens when the heart muscle enlarges and thickens without an obvious cause. Usually the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, and septum thicken. The thickened areas create narrowing or blockages in the ventricles, making it harder for the heart to pump blood; however, in very few instances the heart actually contracts with much greater force causing an obstruction to the blood flow (CMUK, 2015). HCM also can cause stiffness of the ventricles, changes in the mitral valve, and cellular changes in the heart tissue.

Heart failure is term that is used to describe the heart’s inability to work efficiently as a pump. In order to decipher if an individual is likely to have heart failure is through their health history. Common backgrounds associated are diabetes mellitus, kidney dysfunction, hypertension, chronic lung disease, angina, myocardial infarction, and ischemic heart disease (Kirk, 2011). It is accompanied by shortness of breath on exertion, decreased exercise tolerance, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, ankle swelling, sudden weight gain, lack of appetite or nausea and difficulty concentrating (Kirk, 2011). In worsening conditions it could progress to fluid buildup, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pains , and sudden

The doctor, cardiologist, and other medical professionals will be looking for certain things to determine if a person has heart failure; for example, a third heart beat (besides the usual “lub” “dub”). Heart failure is diagnosed by certain symptoms along with certain medical tests (Krum, 2009). Some medical tests conducted by various kinds of doctors are the following: Electrocardiograms, Echocardiography, and MRIs. An electrocardiogram is a machine that displays a person’s heartbeat to assess electrical and muscular purposes of the heart. Electrocardiograms are helpful because it can rule out a certain type of heart failure (Krum, 2009). Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to examine the heart. This test can help with the diagnosis of heart failure because it can give the medical professional information about the left ventricle. An MRI is a medical exam to determine if someone has heart failure because it gives an evaluation of the

The heart is a muscular organ at the epicenter of the human circulatory system. The adult heart pumps five quarts of blood each minute or nearly 2,000 gallons of blood each day (Arkansas Heart Hospital, 2016). Like any part of the body, the heart is susceptible to disease. Cardiomyopathy also known as “disease of the heart muscle” affects 1 in 500 adults and is the leading source of heart failure and the most common reason for needing a heart transplant (Texas Heart Institute, 2016). One of the rarest forms of cardiomyopathy is termed restrictive cardiomyopathy, accounting for less than 5 % of all cardiac disease (TheHeart.org, 2017). By definition, restrictive cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium characterized by restrictive filling

“[...] 1 in every 100,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 18 is diagnosed with cardiomyopathy” (“Understand Pediatric” 1). This condition affects many children throughout the world. Some cases of cardiomyopathy are fatal, some allow the child to live with restrictions. Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death and heart transplants in children (“Understand Pediatric” 1). There are many different ways to help diagnose the numerous forms of this disorder, treatments to help stop other problems from occurring, and therapies to help the restrictions some may live with. Various medical fields have been looking into and studying what the leading causes could be for this disorder ("Progress to date" 1). There are many symptoms a child can show for a doctor to see in order for them

Heart(cardiovascular) disease involves many statuses where the normal function is disrupted by the condition of the heart or blood vessels. It will slow down the delivery of oxygenated blood into the body. There are several requirements for the heart to have a normal function. There needs to be adaptable coronary circulation because the vessels that supply the oxygen and nutrients to the heart must be functional, capable and meet increased demands when needed. It must provide a flexible response by the myocardial contractile cells so when the animal needs additional cardiac output during exercise and stress, the cells of the heart can provide a higher heart rate output. The valves on the heart are crucial and must be maintained for blood flow

A lot of people in this world are unknown to the heart disease called peripartum cardiomyopathy. This heart disease is a uncommon heart disease. It’s a heart failure that happens in some women in the last month of their pregnancy. With this heart disease the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body’s vital organs. Which then causes organ failure if not caught. PPCM is still being studied doctors still don’t know what exactly triggers the heart failure. They say it may be from autoimmunity, immune system micronutrient. In the beginning phase of PPCM it causes inflammation in the heart. The heart muscle cells start to become damaged. After the heart muscle is damaged scar tissue begins to form. Which makes it hard

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle (NHLBI, ___) In cardiomyopathy; the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick and rigid. The disease causes the heart to become weak and less able to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. His will lead to heart failure, or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias. Heart failure causes fluid to build up in the lungs, ankles, feet or abdomen.

Our patient Mr. P has been hospitalized for cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (CHF) symptoms. This paper will discuss the approach to care for the patient. In addition, it will recommend a treatment plan. Lastly, it will offer education and a teaching plan for both the patient and his wife to help cope with his condition.

Despite the absence of a cure or preventative measures for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, there have been notable advances in both diagnostic techniques and successful treatments available.

According to The American Heart Association, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack; are chest discomfort or pain, left arm numbness tingling, shortness of breath, and cold sweats. I would have immediately given him a baby aspirin. I would have explained to him, that with me being a healthcare professional he should go to the hospital. Her father should also be placed on the bed or floor, to decrease injury in the event he may go unconscious. It should then be explained to the father that people often mistake a heart attack for heartburn or indigestion and it is advised that he be seen.