Pathophysiology Case Analysis Angina Pectoris or Myocardial Infarction - Essay Example

Pathophysiology Case Analysis -- Angina Pectoris or Myocardial Infarction What are the patients problems? Basically, the patient had experienced the effects of not having taken antihypertensive medication during the past year and such complacency resulted to exhibiting shortness of breath (dyspnea) while going up a staircase and getting easily fatigued after work. As mentioned, he went through a bout of severe nose bleeding (epistaxis) with dizziness and registered pathophysiological signs of abnormalities on heart pump and blood vessel functions causing him a 180/110 reading in blood pressure.

Based on the case description, the patient encountered ‘angina pectoris’ which reflects through chest discomfort brought by the condition that restrains the heart from acquiring sufficient blood supply, thereby effecting ‘dyspnea’. Ally may have been diagnosed of ‘angina pectoris’ because of the doctor’s advice for him to take rest and medication for the alleged congestive heart failure serves a crucial ground why his heart was deprived of adequate rate of blood flow though he has not yet been detected of blood clot along the coronary artery.

What pathophysiological changes are happening in his eyes and heart? The patient’s eyes were characterized by a blurred vision. His heart was suspected to have generated congestive failure after bearing auscultation of crackles which may be present due to history of essential hypertension wherein persistent elevations in arterial pressure are high. According to the doctor, the patient might have developed congestive heart failure. Is it right-sided or left-sided?  According to the findings of the doctor, rales or crackles were present, indicating that the congestive heart failure is left-sided.

Occurrence of dyspnea or breathlessness with heavy exertion signifies left-sided heart failure for which there emerges increased breathing rate or a non-specific symptom of respiratory distress. Left ventricular failure is altogether attributed to the sound of rales or crackles near lung bases or fields capable of developing pulmonary edema. What medications are likely to have been used? Describe the mechanisms of actions of at least two antihypertensive drugs. Since the patient’s problems rose from the discontinuity of antihypertensive drugs, he might as well needed to proceed with the interrupted antihypertensive medication for essential hypertension.

With primary hypertension, patients may undergo treatment via drugs that facilitate blood volume reduction wherein central venous pressure and cardiac output are minimized. Such treatment may include heart rate and stroke volume depression in order that both cardiac output and systematic vascular resistance can be diminished. Two of commonly known antihypertensive drugs are diuretics and vasodilators. Diuretics can aid in treating high blood pressure by means of increasing urine output through the kidney which is regulated by the drug in terms of managing sodium content.

This mechanism allows expulsion of unnecessary water and salt so that the appreciable amount of salt removed in the urination process would lower the risk toward hypertension. On the other hand, vasodilators, as the term implies, bring about ‘dilation’ of arterial vessels so as to decrease levels of control in systematic vascular resistance. Dilating of blood vessels eventually leads to relaxation of smooth muscle which further counters or inhibits any rise in venous blood pressure. ReferencesCunha, John P.

, DO, FACOEP. “Angina Pectoris.” eMedicineHealth. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/angina_pectoris/article_em.htm on April 22, 2012. Klabunde, Richard E., PhD. “The Pharmacologic Treatment of Systematic Hypertension -- Antihypertensive Drugs.” Cardiovascular Pharmacology Concepts. Retrieved from http://www.cvpharmacology.com/antihypertensive/antihypertensive.htm on April 22, 2012.