Case Study Report: Cardiac Outpatient

Case Study Report: Cardiac Outpatient

 There are arrays of cardiac illnesses some which can be treated and some that cannot be treated. Those that cannot be treated can only be controlled. Cardiac arrhythmia is a cardiac condition that refers to a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat. Depending on symptoms and underlying conditions, cardiac arrhythmia can be treated or controlled. The subject of focus is a slow heartbeat, otherwise known as Bradycardia.

Patient Profile

A 71-year-old man was brought into the hospital dizzy and sweaty. He also complained of shortness of breath. An ECG test did not record any anomalies despite the patient exhibiting the symptoms at a more frequent rate. As a result, an implantable loop recorder was implanted to record the heart rhythm. The results indicated that the patient had a slowed heartbeat that was less than 43 beats per minute. The rhythm did not pick up and continued to slow down necessitating urgent admission. Since there lacked any underlying cause that can be treated, a pacemaker was deemed the best treatment solution. The patient spent one day at the hospital to monitor the heart function after the insertion of the pacemaker and discharged. Follow up is to take place for the next few months both at the hospital and patients home.

Medications

Since the use of a pacemaker was deemed the best treatment option, there was no medication prescribed to the patient. However, the patient has a diabetic health issue which is not treatable but controlled with medication. The patent is to continue taking the diabetes medication as has previously been. Medicines for the slow heartbeat condition was ruled out since the symptoms were recurring frequently. It is important to note that a slow heartbeat cannot be increased using medication (“Heart Arrhythmia – Diagnosis And Treatment – Mayo Clinic”). It is in this regard that a pacemaker is the preferred and most practical solution for the heart condition.

The patient cardiac symptoms are severe but not chronic. In this regard, the pacer could be used temporarily until the heart resumes normal function. If the normal function is not regained, then the heart pacer will be used permanently. The patient needs to avoid device interference that could hinder normal pacer function. Gadgets and equipment with magnet field should be avoided (“Devices That May Interfere With Icds And Pacemakers”).

Alternative to Current Therapy Recommendations

Medical alternatives exist in situations where there are underlying problems such as thyroids for example. However, in the patient’s case, the heart condition is not triggered by an underlying problem; hence there is no alternative medical treatment. The patient will continue to have regular heart function with a pacemaker and will continue taking previous diabetic medication. Relaxation and meditation technique is, however, an unconventional recommendation that could be used to treat the condition.

Exercise Prescription Protocol

The combination of diabetes and the Bradycardia could be life-threatening if not adequately taken care of. Low blood sugar and a slow heart rate could lead to a heart attack, for example. Depending on the severity of the attack, the patient could die or suffer a stroke.  A low cholesterol diet and exercise is crucial in regulating blood sugar and heartbeat. The patient has no history of a lifestyle that involves regular exercise. In this regard, the patient will undertake light cardiovascular activities on the treadmill at least 15 minutes a day in the beginning. However, the exercise is to be increased to 30 minutes at least five days a week.

Brisk walking is also to be incorporated into the exercise program at the same frequency. The patient will alternate the two exercises according to ease and personal preference. Exercise is not only crucial in strengthening the heart but regulating blood sugar for diabetes (Stewart). Any issues encountered during training such as chest pains, muscle pains or headaches, for example, should be reported to the doctor immediately.

FITT-VP Protocol

At the beginning of the exercise program, the patient will tread on the treadmill for 15 minutes each day lightly. Depending on mobility, the treadmill will function at the lowest level speed without any incline. However, as the patient gets accustomed to the exercise, the time will be increased to 30 minutes five days a week at the same treadmill speed or slightly higher speed. Brisk walking will also be done for 15 minutes every day at the onset and increased to 30 minutes five day a week. Both exercises are relatively moderate, bearing the age and fitness level of the patient.

The exercise duration is to be incorporated as a lifestyle hence has no timeline. It is thus to be continued indefinitely unless limiting factors arise. The time of 30 minutes will not be increased any further. However, the intensity of the exercises will increase as the fitness level increases. Both activities will not only increase cardiovascular strength through endurance but also increase body strength and mobility. It is, however, essential to note that exercise program has an indoor and outdoor variation to cater for any limiting factors such as weather patterns for the outdoor brisk walking exercise.

Works Cited

“Devices That May Interfere With Icds And Pacemakers”. Www.Heart.Org, 2016,

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention–treatment-of-arrhythmia/devices-that-may-interfere-with-icds-and-pacemakers.

“Heart Arrhythmia – Diagnosis And Treatment – Mayo Clinic”. Mayoclinic.Org, 2020,

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-arrhythmia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350674.

Stewart, Kerry J. “3 Kinds Of Exercise That Boost Heart Health”. Hopkinsmedicine.Org, 2020,

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/3-kinds-of-exercise-that-boost-heart-health.