Introduction
Cardiovascular alterations such as heart murmurs influence the occurrence of cardiac disorders among individuals. According to McDaniel and Brashers (2012), cardiovascular disorders emanate from acquired or congenital factors that vary from one person to another. Essentially, heart murmurs are sounds that occur as blood flow through the heart during systolic and diastolic mechanisms. The case study of a 16-year-old boy depicts the importance of heart murmurs in the diagnosis of cardiac disorders because he had grade II/IV systolic murmur, and yet he died prematurely. The case study indicates that other factors apart from medical history or family history could have caused the premature death of the boy. Thus, this essay aims to describe how to diagnose heart murmurs and prescribe the appropriate treatment for the patient in the case study.
Diagnosis of Cardiac Alterations
Since heart murmurs indicate the presence of cardiovascular alterations, healthcare provides should consider them when carrying out the diagnosis. The appropriate methods of diagnosing heart murmurs of the patient in the case study include the use of echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and magnetic resonance imaging (McDaniel & Brashers, 2012). Echocardiogram is a diagnostic method that assesses loudness of sound made by the heartbeat in terms of a grading scale of one to six, which ranges from the faintest to the loudest respectively. Moreover, echocardiogram shows the structure of the heart using sound waves, while electrocardiogram assesses the electrical activity of heart. Cardiac catheterization measures the oxygen level in blood and the pressure of the blood in each chamber of the heart. Comparatively, magnetic resonance imaging accurately delineates structural abnormalities of the heart.
Prescription of Treatment
The nature of heart murmurs in terms of grade and cardiac alterations determines the treatment that individuals require. The systolic grade of II/VI indicates that there is faint, but a audible murmur at the apex side of the heart. Imaging techniques are essential for they ascertain the existence of cardiac alterations and inform about the nature of surgery needed. Surgery aims to correct structural defects of valves, vessels, and chambers through the procedures of coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty. McDaniel and Brashers (2012) recommend the use of medications such as prostaglandin E in cases where transposition of the great vessels occurs as it enhances delivery of oxygen to tissues. Other treatment methods that would help the patient in the scenario entail changes in lifestyles in terms of physical activity and healthy diet as they promote maintenance of normal weight.
Impact of Genetics on Diagnosis and Treatment
Genetic factors influence diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disorders among patients. Brashers (2012) acknowledges that genetic factors and their interaction with environmental factors determine the occurrence of cardiac alterations. In the diagnosis of the patient with cardiac disorders, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram determine the impact of a defect in the functioning of the heart, while magnetic resonance imaging aids in the location of the defect. Genetic factors can also influence the treatment of cardiac disorders for McPhee and Hammer (2012) state that congenital cardiac disorders cause defects, which require surgical intervention. Fundamentally, the surgical procedure can easily correct congenital defects when compared to chemotherapy.
Response to a Colleague
Ethnicity is an important factor that influences diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disorders. Jacobsen and Gratton (2011) argue that cardiac disorders that are common in certain ethnic group occur due to the interaction of genetics and environment. Just like cardiac disorders caused by genetic factors, diagnosis requires the use of echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment also requires the application of surgery as it is an effective intervention. Overall, genetics and environment interact in a manner that they influence diagnosis and treatment cardiac disorders.
Conclusion
Heart murmurs influence the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders in the population. Diagnosis of heart murmurs using methods such as echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and magnetic resonance imaging provides the basis of treatment. Use of medications such as prostaglandin E and change in lifestyles enhances the management cardiovascular disorders. Evidently, genetic and ethnic factors influence diagnosis and treatment of cardiac alterations.
References
Brashers, V. (2012). Alterations of Cardiovascular Function. In S. E. Huether & K. L. McCance (Eds.), Understanding pathophysiology (pp. 585-637). St. Louis, MO.
McDaniel, N., & Brashers, V. (2012). Alterations of cardiovascular function in children. In S. E. Huether & K. L. McCance (Eds.), Understanding pathophysiology (pp. 643-657). St. Louis, MO. Mosby. Web.
Jacobsen, R. C., & Gratton, M. C. (2011). A case of unrecognized prehospital anaphylactic shock. Prehospital Emergency Care, 15(1), 61-66. Web.
McPhee, S. J., & Hammer, G. D. (2012). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical. Web.