Pathophysiology Case Study
Pathophysiology case study 2
K.H. is a 67-year-old African-American man with primary hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He is currently taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and following a salt-restricted weight loss diet. He is about 30 pounds over his ideal weight. At his clinic visit his blood pressure is noted to be 135/96. His heart rate is 70 beats/min. He has no complaints. His wife brought a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope with her in the hope of learning to take her husband’s blood pressure at home.
What risk factors for primary hypertension are evident from K.H.’s history and physical data?
Primary hypertension can be linked to several risk factors, some in which are evident in K.H.’s history and physical data. The first risk factor evident is KH’s diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus poses as a threat and a risk factor to hypertension because the disease directly affects the blood vessels and arteries by hardening the arteries and potentially causing atherosclerosis, therefore raising blood pressure. Other risk factors in KH’s history are his age and race. It has been seen that African Americans are at highest risk for primary hypertension than other races. Additionally, as age increases, the risk for hypertension does so as well. These risk factors are non-modifiable, and unfortunately are independent risk factors for KH (Copstead and Banasik). However, KH is also slightly overweight which is a modifiable risk factor and can be eliminated as a risk factor if the weight is lost. KH should continue to follow his low sodium diet plan to help with some of the weight loss and also to help lessen his hypersensitivity as sodium may lead to high blood pressure due to water retention (Mayo Clinic). There are other risk factors associated with hypertension and rising blood pressure and it is important to find out if any of them are also evident in KH. One of these risk factors includes KH’s activity level. It is important for KH to
K.H. is a 67-year-old African-American man with primary hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He is currently taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and following a salt-restricted weight loss diet. He is about 30 pounds over his ideal weight. At his clinic visit his blood pressure is noted to be 135/96. His heart rate is 70 beats/min. He has no complaints. His wife brought a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope with her in the hope of learning to take her husband’s blood pressure at home.
What risk factors for primary hypertension are evident from K.H.’s history and physical data?
Primary hypertension can be linked to several risk factors, some in which are evident in K.H.’s history and physical data. The first risk factor evident is KH’s diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus poses as a threat and a risk factor to hypertension because the disease directly affects the blood vessels and arteries by hardening the arteries and potentially causing atherosclerosis, therefore raising blood pressure. Other risk factors in KH’s history are his age and race. It has been seen that African Americans are at highest risk for primary hypertension than other races. Additionally, as age increases, the risk for hypertension does so as well. These risk factors are non-modifiable, and unfortunately are independent risk factors for KH (Copstead and Banasik). However, KH is also slightly overweight which is a modifiable risk factor and can be eliminated as a risk factor if the weight is lost. KH should continue to follow his low sodium diet plan to help with some of the weight loss and also to help lessen his hypersensitivity as sodium may lead to high blood pressure due to water retention (Mayo Clinic). There are other risk factors associated with hypertension and rising blood pressure and it is important to find out if any of them are also evident in KH. One of these risk factors includes KH’s activity level. It is important for KH to
Cited: Copstead, Lee-Ellen, and Jacquelyn Banasik. Pathophysiology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc., 2010. 212-227. Print. "High Blood Pressure (hypertension)." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 28 Feb 2014.