Question

M. K. is a 45-year-old female measuring 5'5" and weighing 225 lbs. M. K. has a history of smoking about 22 years along with a poor diet. She has a history of type II diabetes mellitus along with primary hypertension. M. K. has recently been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Her current symptoms include chronic cough, more severe in the mornings with sputum, light-headedness, distended neck veins, excessive peripheral edema, and increased urination at night. Her current medications include Lotensin and Lasix for the hypertension along with Glucophage for the type II diabetes mellitus.

1. Which type of heart failure would you suspect with M. K.? Explain the pathogenesis of how this type of heart failure develops. Include an overview of the disease and it's effects in the U.S. population.

Answer 1

Which type of heart failure would you suspect with M. K.?

The signs and symptoms of peripheral edema, distended neck veins, and excessive urination denote that M.K is affected with Right-Side Heart Failure.

Explain the pathogenesis of how this type of heart failure develops.

Right-side heart failure is associated with the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the lungs. The right ventricle becomes harder to pump blood into the lungs and results in heart failure. The most common cause for this patient is primary hypertension along with chronic bronchitis. This increases pulmonary artery pressure that makes the over workload of the right ventricles and finally results in failure.

Include an overview of the disease and its effects on the U.S. population.

When the heart is fails to pump enough blood to the lungs due to muscle weakens, the blood comes back and the fluid accumulated in the pulmonary vessel. This leads to edema and distended neck veins. The most common cause are hypertension, coronary heart disease, damaged heart valves, congenital defects, arrhythmia, and chronic lung disease. The signs and symptoms include arms, legs, and the ankles swell and excessive urination especially at night. In the U.S, heart failure is most commonly seen in older people of 65 years or above.