Congestive Heart Failure: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, Prevalence, and Care Plan

Running head: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Response 1:
Outline of the disease:
Congestive Heart Failure can be defined as the condition which is characterized by
the weakening of the cardiac muscles (Francois et al., 2015). The weakening of the cardiac
muscles interferes with the ability of the heart to effectively pump blood into other tissues
and organs. As stated by Guglielmini and Diana (2015), congestive heart failure affects the
systolic motion of the heart which caused an increase in the heart beat. The increased heart
beat subsequently leads to the elevation of the blood pressure and causes an abnormal heart
rate. Studies have indicated that congestive heart failure is related to the weakening as well as
improper functioning of the ventricular heart muscles (Kubota et al., 2015). It should be
noted here that the oxygenated blood in the body is pumped by the ventricles and is then
transported to the different organs of the body. In addition to this, studies further reveal that
constricted arteries or associated coronary artery diseases can lead to the reduced efficiency
of the heart to pump blood (Kubota et al., 2015; Francois et al., 2015). It is on account of the
lack of a smooth blood circulation that fluid starts accumulating within the major organs that
include kidney, liver or upper and lower limbs. The symptoms of the disease includes
increased shortness of breath as well as a pertinent feeling of discomfort which has been in
reported in case of the patient within the case study. In close association to the case study, it
should be noted that the 77 year old patient (Mrs, McKenzie), has a previous medical history
of MI and displays vivid symptoms of swollen ankle, cold feet as well as shortness of breath.
The symptoms collectively suggest that the patient is suffering from Congestive Heart
Failure.
Causes, risks and prevalence within Australian Context:

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Congestive Heart Failure is majorly caused due to a number of lifestyle factors. In
addition to this, studies have also indicated that the disease condition is heavily triggered in
patients who are affected with cardiac problems and have weak ventricular muscles. This
elicits extra pressure on the ventricles as well as the blood vessels and as a result the blood
supply does not sufficiently reach to other organs within the body. Further, because of the
physiological stress the cardiac muscles function irregularly and this subsequently increases
the heart rate as well as the blood pressure of the blood vessels (Lichtman et al., 2014).
Therefore, on account of deficiency of adequate blood supply within the vital organs of the
body, the disease condition occurs. In addition to this, research studies indicate that patient
with previous medical history of MI are susceptible to develop Congestive Heart Disease due
to the weakened cardiac muscles. In addition to this the probability of developing Congestive
Heart Disease is higher in patients with a previous medical history of MI or coronary heart
disease who perform strenuous activities such as extensive workout, swimming or indulge in
diving or other sport activities.
Research studies have indicated that the prevalence of Congestive Heart Failure is
considerably high in Australia. As stated by American Diabetes Association (2016), a total of
300,000 individuals suffer from the disease condition. In addition to this the disorder is
invariably found to manifest in individuals aged 45 and higher (Lichtman et al., 2014).
However, it should be critically noted in this context that the appropriate local or state
prevalence of the disorder is not recorded in the official directory of the Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
The risk factors of developing the disorder, majorly comprise of previous medical
history of cardiac failures or associated disorders such as cardiac arrest or coronary artery
blockage (Mukherjee et al., 2015). In addition to this, hypertension also serves as a high risk
factor that increases the probability of developing the disorder. Lifestyle stressors such as