Case Study: Analyzing Angina Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

This case study examines the case of Fred, a 75-year-old male suffering from angina, a heart condition characterized by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Fred's lifestyle, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity, are identified as key contributing factors. The report delves into the understanding of angina, including its causes, symptoms (such as chest pain, nausea, and fatigue), and different types (stable, unstable, variant). It highlights the importance of lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and adopting a healthy diet, for managing the condition. Furthermore, the study discusses various medical interventions, including medications like aspirin and nitrates, as well as procedures like angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery. The role of healthcare professionals in providing emotional support, patient education, and promoting self-care management is also emphasized to improve patient outcomes. The case study underscores the importance of early detection and comprehensive care in managing angina and preventing potential complications.

UNDERSTANDING PHYSICAL
HEALTH CONDITIONS

INTRODUCTION
Physical health condition is critical for overall well-being and it can be affected when a
human body suffers from various diseases. After it, the body do not function properly and the
functioning becomes of the body parts become weak (Tegn and et.al., 2016). The diseases which
can affect individuals can be heart stroke, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and many more. Report
discusses about the case study where Fred a 75 year old male is suffering from disease called
angina. It has been analysed that patient is a chain smoker and drinks whiskey on routine basis.
Assignment highlights the keen causes and understanding of angina. Further it discusses medical
interventions which can be taken in order to cure disease.
MAIN BODY
Case study provides us Fred an elderly aged citizen is living with his wife Mary and has
been retired from his job 10 years ago. He is been a chain smoker and smokes 30 cigarettes per
day. In addition, patient is been involved in consuming liquor on daily basis. Fred has been over
eating and is not involved in any type of physical activities. He has been over weight and has
been diagnosed with cardio vascular diseases, which have caused him with the episodes of
angina.
LO1. Understanding of angina
Angina is basically a heart disease. In this disorder patient suffers from a chest pain that
is caused by decreased flow of blood to the heart(Tegn and et.al., 2016). It is a main symptom of
coronary artery disease. The disorder can also be understood as squeezing pressure, tightness or
heaviness being caused in the chest. In this disease, the heart muscles do not get enough of
oxygen and leads to a condition known as ischemia. Patient suffering from this disorder become
quite weak and exhausted. Mostly this disease occurs when heart vessels needs more amount of
blood than it is getting. This situation can be occurring during when service user is involved
during any type of physical activity. Signs and symptoms that can be seen during angina include
chest pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and anxiety. Fred is suffering from this chronic
disease and all these signs and symptoms can be seen in him making patient more weak(Peng
and et.al., 2014).
Main cause of this disease is also the life style factor like smoking, drinking and being
overweight. It has been analysed from the case study that Fred has been a chain smoker and
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consumes liquor on daily basis so these lives style factors are severe cause of occurrence for
angina. Other reason behind this chronic disorder can also include not involving in physical
activities, suffering from disorders like hypertension or blood pressure, family history of
suffering from this disease. Fred can prevent the risk of suffering from the disorder by changing
their lifestyle. Emotional stress can also be one of the major reasons behind suffering from
angina. As Fred has been retired and has and there is no source of income from his part, it can
make him feel stressed and worried(Zeller and et.al., 2014).
Angina occurs when the heart works harder during the time of physical exertion. The
disease also consists of various types which includes stable or chronic, unstable, variant or micro
vascular angina. The disorder is been seen in Fred because of underlying coronary artery disease.
Due to following of unhealthy life style like smoking cigars and consuming tobacco the artery
narrows down and do not receive sufficient amount of oxygen(Peng and et.al., 2014). It becomes
difficult for oxygen rich blood to reach the muscles of heart as artery narrows down. Damage to
arteries are also caused by other elements such as following heavy meal, not involving in
physical activities, being expose to high temperatures. Angina can also be triggered because of
being expose to stress, cold, medicines, use of cigars and cocaine. It develops a high risk in the
human body.
The major cause of developing of angina is heart disease. So Fred might be at risk of
developing cardio vascular disorder which can be the main reason for occurring of angina. In this
disease a fatty substance known as plaque develops in arteries which blocks the flow of blood to
the muscles of heart(Signs and symptoms of angina, 2018). It affects the heart of human body
and forces it to work with less oxygen. After suffering from this disorder service users become
exhausted, weak and tired. In order to improve health and well Fred and Marry needs to make
changes in there life style conditions. The disease also causes discomfort and heaviness in heart.
It weakens the body functioning and makes an individual inefficient in there working.
Treatment of the disease also depends on intensity of the pain. Health-care professionals
will first analyse whether the service user is suffering from stable or unstable angina. Diagnosis
would be provided according to that(Bress and et.al., 2018). Also, nurses will be involved in
understanding the signs and symptoms related to the disorder. Patient suffering from angina goes
through chest pain. It can also be because of other elements such as a blockage in the artery
which is major, person suffering from disorders like hypertension, an enlarged heart, sacs around
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the heart are being swelled and many more reasons. The pain arriving in the disorder is often
seen around neck, shoulders or stomach of patient. It hampers there growth and weakens the
immune system. Angina is the major symbol of heart disease that can be further converted into
life threatening disorders. Health-care professionals need to detect it on early stage in order to
enhance the health outcome of service users.
Stable angina triggers heart and can be seen when the person is involved in activities that
includes physical exertion and also when they are going through stress. This type of angina do
not last for longer and can be stopped after few minutes. Also, the patients become healthy after
taking rest. Unstable angina attacks are more unpredictable and occurs when service user is at
high risk of developing any heart disease. The duration of effect is longer on a person's body and
can also be life threatening.
Information Fred and Mary needs regarding self care management
Fred and Mary needs to know that the in order to improve the health condition and well-
being of patient, they must make changes in there life style. Service users need to know about
that major cause for angina is consumption of liquor, smoking cigars. As, Fred is been involved
in all these activities than these factors can severely affect his health outcomes. Also, patient
needs to have knowledge about that in-taking of heavy meal and not involving in physical
activities is one of the major cause for angina.
Patients must know about the early signs and symptoms that can be seen in the disorder.
He needs to have an idea that pain in chest, discomfort, breathlessness, feeling sick can be the
signs of angina attack(Bress and et.al., 2018). Also, service user should know about the various
types of angina so that the early treatment is taken by him on timely basis. Medicines and life
style changes can help Fred in enhancing his health condition. These factors will also help in
making blood flow better and controlling the symptoms. Also, Fred needs to know eating right
and healthy food assists him in enhancing their well-being and health outcome.
Medical interventions used in the treatment of angina
Angina is a symptom of heart disease. So in order to overcome this chronic disorder,
acute medical interventions by health-care professionals are needed. Firstly nurses need to ensure
whether Fred is suffering from stable or unstable angina and treatment must be provided
according to it. Health care professionals should lay emphasis on imparting care that assist
patient in quitting liquor and smoking. They must encourage service user to adopt healthy diet
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and appropriate eating practices. Nurses must motivate Fred to get engaged in physical activities
so that he can lose weight which enhances his well-being.
Health-care professional can also provide Fred with surgical treatments like angioplasty
and stinting. During this stage nurse will put a tiny balloon in the artery of patient which is been
narrowed. The balloon will be inserted through a catheter which has been kept in an artery. The
balloon is been inflated by the health-care professional in order to widen the artery. This
treatment or diagnosis process can be given to Fred in order to enhance there health outcome.
But, this method also contains some amount of risk that can hamper the well-being of service
users. After going through angioplasty a clot might be produce in the stent of patient or there can
also appear a small risk of having a heart stroke.
Stable angina can also be cured with the help of medication and life style changes. If Fred
quits smoking and consumption of liquor than without any surgery his health and well-being can
get improved or enhanced(Werdan and et.al., 2016). Also, various medicines such as aspirin,
nitrates, beta blockers, statins and many more can reduce the risk of going through this disorder.
Aspirin can assist Fred in decreasing the ability of blood to make clot, making it easier for blood
to go through arteries which has been narrowed down. This helps in reducing the risk of
developing a heart disease. Medicines like nitrates helps in removing the blood clot which
widens vessels of blood, allowing the blood to flow easily in the human body.
Various tests like Electrocardiogram and stress test can also be performed by health-care
professional on Fred in order to know about whether he has been suffering from angina or not. It
also assists them in knowing about the intensity of pain rising in the service users body. In ECG
each heart beat is measured by the electric impulse which are being generated by the special cells
in heart. Stress test can also be conducted by health-care professional on Fred. It is done by
making patient walk on a trade mill. While exercising blood pressure can be measured and ECG
readings are counted. This can help health-care professional in knowing about the intensity of
pain faced by Fred.
Coronary bypass surgery can also be provided by nurses to service user. Life style
changes like quitting smoking and liquor can be made by Fred on his personal level. Eating
healthy diet with limited amount of saturated fats can improvise the health condition of Fred.
Also, health-care professionals needs to provide treatment by using person-centred approach.
This will help them in better understanding the signs and symptoms of disorders. Also, with this
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approach they will be able to detect the disease at an early stage which can make a person
healthy. Nurses can also give intervention that includes emotional support. By this they can
know about the factors that are causing stress to patients. They can also know about the beliefs,
values and thoughts that service user is going through while facing angina. All these will help
health-care professional in improving the health conditions of Fred.
Nurses can encourage patient to be involved in self care management. In order to
improve health outcome Fred can involve in making pre appointments to health-care
professionals. He can take medicines on time as per prescribed by nurses. Also, patient can share
the signs and symptoms which service user is going through with health-care professional or
family members. It will help in reducing the risk related to the developing of disease. Health-
outcome can also be improved if nurses encourage Fred to be involved in doing physical exercise
and losing weight.
Health-care professionals can also provide education to service user relating to the signs
and symptoms of angina. Service user must have knowledge about the type of angina and signs
which can be seen like heaviness in chest, dizziness, pain in chest and many more (Werdan and
et.al., 2016). This will help them in taking the care on due time and will help in improving there
health outcome. Also, nurses must be engaged in giving holistic care to Fred so that they would
be able to know about the risk factors arising in service user better. Also, this will improve health
outcome of patient.
Nurses in order to improve well-being of service user can use evidence based approaches
and multi-disciplinary team. This will help in enhancing the well-being of Fred. Inter-
professional work force includes various specialists such as physicians, psychiatrist, dietician
and health-care professionals that will be able to solve the keen problem of angina faced by Fred.
Dietician will prepare meals and diet chart for Fred and encourage him to participate in physical
exercises like yoga, aerobics and many more. Also, they will follow the ethical principles of
nursing while providing care that will help in enhancing the outcome of health in patients.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been summarised that Fred has suffered from chronic
disease like angina which has hampered his well-being. Further report has highlighted the main
causes which is consumption of liquor and alcohol plus smoking cigars is the major reason for
the occurrence of disease. Fred health outcome has been improved by providing medical
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interventions like consuming medicines such as aspirins and nitrates. Also, patient has to make
life style changes which enhanced health outcome of service user. Changes in diet and quitting
alcohol has supported Fred in overcoming the disease.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Tegn, N. and et.al., 2016. Invasive versus conservative strategy in patients aged 80 years or older
with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris (After Eighty
study): an open-label randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 387(10023). pp.1057-
1065.
Werdan, K. and et.al., 2016. Ivabradine in combination with metoprolol improves symptoms and
quality of life in patients with stable angina pectoris: a post hoc analysis from the
ADDITIONS trial. Cardiology.133(2).pp.83-90.
Açar, G. and et.al., 2015. The relation of platelet–lymphocyte ratio and coronary collateral
circulation in patients with stable angina pectoris and chronic total occlusion. Clinical
and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis.21(5). pp.462-468.
Zeller, T. and et.al., 2014. Assessment of microRNAs in patients with unstable angina
pectoris. European heart journal.35(31).pp.2106-2114.
Peng, S. and et.al., 2014. The efficacy of trimetazidine on stable angina pectoris: a meta-analysis
of randomized clinical trials. International journal of cardiology. 177(3).pp.780-785.
Bress, A.P. and et.al., 2018. Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Ranolazine Versus
Conventional Antianginals Users Among Veterans With Chronic Stable Angina
Pectoris. The American journal of cardiology.
Online
Signs and symptoms of angina. 2018. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/angina/diagnosis-treatment/drc-
20369378>
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