Medical Essay on Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure

Published: 2021-07-01
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Some of the people with Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) may not show any signs or symptoms of the disease until when they get to the advanced stage. Unlike most of the heart diseases that affect most of the individuals who are on either on their middle-age or old age, Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) may even affect persons who are young. Most of the risk factors that could lead to Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) include diabetes, amyloidosis, coronary heart disease, server obesity, hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, alcoholism, heart attack and long-term high blood pressure (Cardiomyopathy, 2017).

According to the description in the case study, it seems that, Mr. Ps condition has arrived at the advanced stage and he has already shown visible signs and symptoms, which may include the following: chest pain, fatigue and general weakness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting attacks, dizziness and lightheadedness, high blood pressure as well as swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs. These symptoms are much disturbing and may lead to psychological effects to both the patient and the family around him.

Treatment.

The treatment for Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) may vary with respect to the extent of the patients heart damage together with the resulting symptoms. However, it is important for Mr. P to adjust his lifestyle alongside taking medication, the family members are recommended to take part to effect it. Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) cannot be treated and healed completely but the treatment and medications are meant to control the condition (Matsumori, 2003). The key concept for treating Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) include:

Managing and controlling condition that contributes to the disease

Regulating the signs and symptoms

Lessening complications that are associated with the sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

Medication

I would like the closest family members to Mr. P to take him to the doctor who after conducting diagnosis will determine the precise medication for his condition, however, the following are some of the possible medication that he will be prescribed to take.

Balancing the electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes are the minerals responsible for regulating the acidic-base balance and levels of fluid in the body. They further assist the nerves and muscle tissue to work efficiently. Having abnormal electrolyte signifies dehydration (insufficient fluid in the body), high blood pressure, heart failure or any other disorders. The proper medicine for balancing the electrolytes are Aldosterone blockers.

Maintaining the heart beat at a normal rhythm. Such medicines are referred to as antiarrhythmic which helps in preventing arrhythmias (Matsumori, 2003).

Lowering the blood pressure: Examples of the medications that can lower the blood pressure are beta blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors (How Is Cardiomyopathy Treated? - NHLBI, NIH, 2017).

Preventing the formation of blood clots: Examples of the medicines that can prevent blood clot include blood thinners or Anticoagulants. Blood thinners are essential at averting blood clots from building up to patients, such as Mr. P who suffer from dilated Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Cardiomyopathy, 2017).

Decrease inflammation: Medicine for this is corticosteroids.

Elimination of surplus sodium from the body. Proper medications for removing sodium from the body are water pills and diuretics (Cardiomyopathy, 2017).

Slowing heart rate: Medicines for treating such conditions are digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, apart from digoxin, the other two medicines can treat lower blood pressure (Hosenpud & Greenberg, 1994).

Family support and Lifestyle change

The lifestyle changes that I would like to advise the patient with are as follows:

Healthy diet: Take vegetables, fruits, and grains (whole grains products); only take foods that have low-fat saturation, cholesterol and trans-fat. The more preferred proteins include poultry without skin, beans, lean meat, and low-fat milk or fat-free milk and milk products. Consider cooking food that has the little amount of sodium, since when too much salt is added to the food it may raise the patient's risk of high blood pressure. Mr. P needs to take drinks and beverages that have lower added sugar, and needs to abstain from taking alcohol.

Other lifestyle changes: Apart from dietary, I may recommend that Mr. P to observe the following lifestyle changes that will help him in managing his condition: Losing excess weight, having adequate rest and sleep, quitting smoking, reducing stress, treating underlying conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes (Hosenpud & Greenberg, 1994).

Under the doctors advice, Mr. P can undergo physical exercise that will maintain the rhythm of his heart. Factors that would prevent him from undertaking such exercises are like, chest pains, dizziness, or shortness in breathing. The closest family to Mr. P must ensure that he undertakes Cardiac Device Management which would assist in strengthening the cardiovascular or heart system to prevent future cardiovascular problems, such as heart failure. Furthermore, family members can provide psychological support to Mr. P such as helping him follow his routine body exercise, taking medication, maintaining the diet, and ensuring that he is not subjected to situations that would bring him stress and lead to heart failure (Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure, 2017).

 

References

Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure | Columbia University Department of Surgery. (2017). Columbiasurgery.org. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from http://columbiasurgery.org/conditions-and-treatments/cardiomyopathy-and-congestive-heart-failure

Cardiomyopathy. (2017). Healthline. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from http://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/cardiomyopathy#overview1

Hosenpud, J. D., & Greenberg, B. H. (1994). Congestive heart failure: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and comprehensive approach to management. New York: Springer-Verlag

How Is Cardiomyopathy Treated? - NHLBI, NIH. (2017). Nhlbi.nih.gov. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cm/treatment

Matsumori, A. (2003). Cardiomypathies and heart failure: Biomolecular, infectious and immune mechanisms. Boston [u.a: Kluwer Academic Publ.

 

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