Cardiomyopathy is a disease associated with heart failure due to the inability of myocardium muscle to contract. This paper describes the approach of care for cardiomyopathy, recommended treatment plan for the patient, and the reasons for educating the community on cardiomyopathy using a case of a 72-years old male patient. In addition, the paper will briefly describe the teaching plan for the family and the patient.
According to Elliott (2000), the 72 years old male patient is likely to be suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy since the condition is more common in male than female. The appropriate approach to care toward the management of cardiomyopathy is the conduction of individualized care on CHF because of the age factor. Age is an important factor in considering the possible causes of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Copstead and Banasik (2015) propose the use of echocardiography procedures in order to identify the presence, distribution, and severity of hypertrophy in the patient. In addition, the echocardiography gives the assessment of the left ventricle and its wall thickness. The results of the echocardiography show increased dimensions of the left ventricle with thin walls on the cardiomyopathy patient (Copstead & Banasik, 2015).
Copstead and Banasik (2015) argue that, after getting the results of echocardiography, it is recommended to manage the associated abnormalities of the mitral valve and the left ventricular outflow tract. The abnormalities get managed through decreased exercise and consumption of beta blockers in order to ease fatigability (Elliott et al., 2015). A careful family history of genetic testing and family screening facilitates treatment plan on inherited cardiomyopathy (Elliott et al., 2015). The patient should undergo a complete drug history in relation to the administration of cardiotoxic drugs with respect to use of illegal substances. An advice from a nutritionist is also helpful since some nutritional deficiencies may contribute to heart failure (Elliott, 2000).
Education on cardiomyopathy to the patient and the family is essential for the purpose of controlling adverse actions on the medical condition (Elliott, 2000). The family education creates awareness on the genetics of cardiomyopathy and its inheritance pattern. Advanced education on the genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy reduces the resistance to the family screening process toward the application of molecular diagnosis of the patient. According to Elliott et al. (2015), the family will appreciate the knowledge on screening since the majority of the cardiomyopathy cases is inherited as an autosomal dominant with a 50% risk of transmission to the offspring. Education basing on family screening helps the family, and the patient understands that the likelihood of finding a causal mutation is highest in patients with familial diseases. After screening, counselling is important to the patient, especially when the cause of the cardiomyopathy is non-genetic (Elliott, 2000).
A teaching plan for the family and patient involves preparation in the relevant laboratory and therapeutic procedures after recognition of symptoms of the medical problem. Elliott (2000) recommends documentation of the patient health in order for the family to have close monitoring of the patient health alteration. The family should be aware of the patient response to emergency interventions and related care of the old-age patient. In addition, the patient and the family will undergo teaching on the risk factors of heart failure and the nursing care in order to reduce the elevation in cardiomyopathy (Copstead & Banasik, 2015).
References
Copstead, L. C. & Banasik, J. L. (2015).Pathophysiology (5th ed.). Missouri, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Elliott, P. (2000). Diagnosis and management of dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart, 84(1), 106-106.
Elliott, P. M., Anastasakis, A., Borger, M. A., Borggrefe, M., Cecchi, F., Charron, P., Hagege, A. A., Lafont, A. & Watkins, H. (2014). 2014 ESC Guidelines on diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. European heart journal, 35(39), 2733-2779.