The cardiovascular system is consists of the heart and network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that transport blood throughout the body. There are two primary circulatory loops in the human body: the pulmonary circulation loop and the systemic circulation loop. The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a closed fist that functions as the body’s circulatory pump. It takes in deoxygenated blood through the veins and delivers it to the lungs for oxygenation before pumping it into the various arteries. The condition marked by the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to the rest of the body is called a heart failure, although it is generally long term or chronic, it may have a sudden onset. In the case study presented here the client complains: “I have shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, and swelling in feet”. Based on the above information during the initial interview the examiner will collect an additional subjective data in order to gain in depth understanding of what is the cause of the exhibited symptoms, and to rule out certain issues.
Subjective data:
1) Dyspnea. (Shortness of breath) What kind of activities and amounts bring on shortness of breath. Did these activities bring the shortness of breath 6 months ago? Does shortness of breath come on suddenly? Is it constant or comes and goes? Is it changed by the position change, for example lying down? Does it wake you up at night? Does the shortness of breath interfere with ADLs?
2) Fatigue. When did it start? Is it sudden or gradual? What time of the day does it happen, morning, evening? Any recent changes in the energy levels? Do you get tired easily? Are you able to keep up with family or co-workers?
3) Cough. How long have you had it? How often, does it happen at a particular time of the day? Is it dry, hacking, barky, hoarse, or congested? Do you cough up mucus? What is the color, odor, is it blood tinged? Is cough associated with any activities, body position, walking,