It is important to note that hypertension is a cardiovascular disease that refers to elevated blood pressure. The given analysis will focus on the case of Dr. Ally, who is a 49-year-old professor with several underlying conditions. Due to not taking his medications, the patient experiences a range of issues, which are linked with hypertension, and it is contributing to a left-sided form of congestive heart failure.
The patient’s problems include essential hypertension, fatigue, dyspnea, epistaxis, dizziness, and blurred vision. In his eyes, hypertension can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy. This can cause vision changes such as blurriness, floaters, and even blindness (“Hypertension,” n.d.). In his heart, hypertension can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy and increased workload on the heart. This can lead to heart failure, which can cause rales or crackles on chest auscultation, as well as fatigue, dyspnea, and other symptoms. The doctor suggests that the patient might have developed congestive heart failure, but it is likely to be left-sided since it is the most common starting site and causes breathing issues (“Respiratory depression,” n.d.; Chopra et al., 2021). Common antihypertensive drugs that may have been used include diuretics, digitalis, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers. Cardiac glycosides, such as digitalis, “increase the contractibility of the heart muscle, reduce the heart rate” (“Digitalis,” n.d., para. 2). Diuretics work by increasing urine output, which reduces blood volume and pressure.
In conclusion, the patient experiences a range of issues related to hypertension, which is likely to cause left-sided congestive heart failure since it is the most common in the population. It is important to note that Dr. Ally’s condition highlights the importance of regular checkups and adherence to medication regimes. It is essential to keep hypertension under control to prevent long-term complications such as heart failure, kidney disease, and retinal damage.
References
Chopra, H. K., Nanda, N. C., Narula, J., Wander, G. S., Manjunath, C. N., & Chandra, P. (2021). Hypertension: New frontiers — A textbook of cardiology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Pub.
Digitalis [PDF document]. (n.d.).
Hypertension [PDF document]. (n.d.).
Respiratory depression [PDF document]. (n.d.).