College

A 55-year-old MMDA traffic enforcer is presented to the ER. The man is experiencing dyspnea on mild exertion, dry cough, and bilateral lower extremity edema. He has a history of smoking (1 pack of cigarettes a day), hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Chest X-ray shows slight pulmonary vascular congestion. ECG indicates normal sinus rhythm and no ischemic abnormalities.

Vital signs:
- Temperature: 37.9 degrees Celsius
- Blood Pressure: 168/90
- Oxygen Saturation: 88% on room air

Question:
Identify the type of heart failure and explain why.

Answer :

Final answer:

The type of heart failure in the 55-year old mmda traffic enforcer is congestive heart failure (CHF). The patient's symptoms and medical history are consistent with the diagnosis of CHF. CHF is often associated with fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema and hypoxemia.

Explanation:

The type of heart failure in the 55-year old mmda traffic enforcer is congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands. In this case, the patient's symptoms of dyspnea on mild exertion, dry cough, bilateral lower extremity edema, and chest x-ray showing pulmonary vascular congestion are consistent with the diagnosis of CHF.

The patient's history of smoking, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are risk factors for the development of heart disease and can contribute to the development of CHF. Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can damaged blood vessels, leading to hypertension and dyslipidemia.

In CHF, fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing pulmonary edema. This can be detected by the crackling sound heard during auscultation and the decreased oxygen saturation level on room air. The decreased oxygen saturation level in this case (oxygen saturation: 88% on room air) indicates hypoxemia, which is a common finding in CHF.