Case Study Analysis of Mrs. Sharon McKenzie

Running head: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF MRS. SHARON MCKENZIE
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Answer 1
Outline of the disease
Congestive heart failure is termed as a severe, chronic and progressive condition of heart
in which, due to which the heart muscles becomes unable to contract and relax properly,
therefore decreasing the ability of the heart to maintain its systolic and diastolic motion (Herr et
al., 2016). This eventually causes the heart ventricles to pump inefficiently and increases the
complication associated with pumping of blood. While understanding the heart anatomy it is
noted that within the four chambers, within which the ventricle chambers are responsible for
pumping of blood from heart to the bodily organs and tissues (Russo et al., 2014). In congestive
heart syndrome, due to the inability of the heart muscles around the ventricles, enough blood
does not reach to the bodily organs. In such situation, organs such as liver, kidney, heart and
abdomen starts accumulating bodily fluid in their smooth muscle coverings due to which they
become bloated and swollen (Herr et al., 2016). This leads to shortness of breath in affected
individuals, leading to congestive heart failure. In the case study, the congestive heart failure
associated condition of Mrs. Sharon McKenzie (77) has been mentioned who is facing symptoms
of cold feet, swollen ankle, shortness of breath and others, indicating towards congestive heart
failure.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
As per Crowley et al. (2017), the primary cause of congestive heart failure is weakened
heart muscle that makes the heart ventricles disable to pump enough blood to the different organs
and tissues of the body. Further, as per McMurray et al. (2014), cardiomyopathy related
condition, in which blood line becomes infected with virus and bacteria, performing exercise

2CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
after having a history of myocardial infarction, aging and Further, in the case study of Mrs.
Sharon McKenzie, it was mentioned that the patient had an myocardial infarction condition 12
years ago due to which she had a risk factor for developing congestive heart failure which was
also mentioned in the research article by Frangogiannis (2014), that patients with myocardial
infarction could develop congestive heart failure if they do not follow the preventive measures
and keep on performing heavy and strenuous activities. On the other hand, due to accumulation
of plaque and fatty deposits in the wall of heart blood vessels, risk factor of developing CHF
increases (Ziaeian & Fonarow, 2016).
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare under the government of Australia
mentioned the incidence of CHF in the country however, clearly mentioned of no national data
of the incidence (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). As per the government, all
the data related to CHF has been obtained through the international bodies and they estimate of
300,000 people affected with CHF in Australia. Further, they also reported of 30,000 new cases
registered in Australian healthcare facilities every year. Majority of the population affected with
this disorder are above the age of 45 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
Further, risk factor associated to this condition is increased blood pressure, hypertension,
pulmonary embolism and rheumatic fever. Besides this as per Herr et al. (2016) past occurrence
of myocardial infarction could lead to congestive heart failure in 70% of the cases. Moreover,
exercise, gap in diet, anemic condition, bacterial or viral infection as well as increased fat
consumption could also increase the risk of congestive heart failure in patient, as it was seen in
the case of Mrs. McKenzie (Frangogiannis, 2014).

3CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
The effect of this health condition would impact the patient and her husband by
decreasing their quality of life. Due to the health condition, it would increase the financial
burden on the patient and her husband as with increasing complication, the cost of medication
would also increase. Hence, they both would suffer from mental and financial complications
(Kanter et al., 2014). Further, due to mental trauma, the husband of Mrs. Sharon McKenzie
would also suffer from healthcare complications, thereby deteriorating their personal life
balance. Therefore, due to Basaraba and Barry (2015), the patient and the families would suffer
from mental and physical trauma.
Answer 2
Signs and symptoms of CHF and associated pathophysiology
The common signs and symptoms associated with this disease which were also observed
in case of Mrs. Sharon McKenzie are shortness of breath, elevated respiratory rate and
increased blood pressure. As per Thibodeau et al. (2014), it is one of the crucial symptom of
CHF in which all the smooth muscles around the lungs, heart and upper body organs increases
their lipid accumulation, due to which people feel heavy in their lungs (Thibodeau et al., 2014).
In the case study it was seen that Sharon McKenzie was unable to move within her house and
despite of her previous case of myocardial infarction, she used to go for walk with her husband.
Hence, it was associated with her shortness of breath.
On the other hand, CHF is associated with his heart muscles inability to pump
appropriate amount of blood to the body organs and tissues (Peacock et al., 2014). In such
situation, the heart muscles work harder to pump blood to the entire body, and hence, put extra
strain to the blood vessels. Hence, the blood pressure in the blood vessel increases in CHF