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Population in which Congestive Heart Failure is Typically Found

Congestive heart failure (CHF) results from a heart under-pumping or the blood when the blood vessels are constricted. This condition usually attacks people above 60 years of age even though the younger population can as well experience this condition. Compressive heart failure is caused by many health factors, such as prolonged use of drugs, which are likely to constrict the blood vessels. However, other conditions such as genetic making can contribute to this condition. Around 5.7 million Americans have congestive heart failure as presented by the Disease Control and Prevention. Also men are more vulnerable to this condition that their female counterparts even though female are likely to die earlier than men if the condition is not treated.

How Congestive Heart Failure Occurs and Its Etiology

This condition is mainly attributed to another disease or illness. One most common cause is the coronary artery disease (CAD), which causes the blood vessels, particularly the arteries to constrict leading to inadequate supply of oxygen in the heart ( Congestive Heart Failure: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional: 2011 Edition: Scholarly Paper, 2012). There are other causes or conditions, which increase one’s risk of developing congestive heart failure apart from the renowned CAD. Cardiomyopathy is one condition facilitating the risk for developing the CHF. This disorder of heart muscle weakens the heart since it attacks its muscles.

Also, a congenital heart defect is a heart abnormality, which usually starts from birth. This issue affects the heart walls, the heart valves, and the blood vessels. Hence, the ultimate cause of to the heart by the congenital heart defect is limiting the supply of blood, which consequently limits the oxygen supply in the heart (Ettinger, 2017). The CHF is also facilitated by the heart valve disease and some specific types of arrhythmias. The former affects the heart’s capability to pump blood normally while the latter causes an irregular heart rhythm which also affects the blood supply.

The Anatomical Structures Involved in the Condition

The compressive heart failure is a condition which limits the heart’s capability to pump enough blood. Hence, the body parts that need blood for normal functioning finds it difficult to do normal operations (Ettinger, 2017). However, this condition does not imply that the heart has stopped or is almost stopping, but it cannot only function as it is required. Some main causes of this condition include lacking blood and fluid to support the lungs, having a buildup of fluids as a result of edema, and having tiredness and shortness of brains. The congestive heart failure affect structures that are related to both gaseous exchange and blood circulation in the body. All structures are responsible for the transport of oxygen to active tissues in the body (Butler, 2011). Structures affected include hearth and blood vessels, respiratory systems that includes lungs, alveoli membranes, bronchi, pulmonary vessels, diaphragm, and/or pleural membrane. 

Medical Interventions Required to Address the Condition

There are numerous ways which can be used to treat CHF depending one’s overall health and the stage of this condition in one’s body. The possible drugs that can be used to treat this condition include the following:

Firstly, the ACE inhibitors can be used to open a constricted vessel to improve the blood flow. Also, instead of this inhibitors, vasodilators can be used for the same purpose as well. Some vasodilators that can be used include benazepril enalapril, quinapril, and perindopril (Butler, 2011). However, the ACE inhibitors are very selective and ought not to be taken with some medications unless consulted with a doctor: the Thiazide diuretics can lead to further decrease in the blood pressure, which consequently reduces the blood supply. Also, using the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspiring can lead to retention of sodium and water (Butler, 2011). Diuretics can also be used to reduce the content of the body fluids since the CHF causes much retention of fluid above the normal value. Some diuretics that may be used include the thiazide diuretics and the loop diuretics.

Possible Precautions or Contraindications that PTA Must Be Aware of During Patient’s Medical Treatment and/or During Recovery

Various medications provided to address the CHF need to be applied with precaution based on the possible side effects or their outcome on the user. For instance, the ACE inhibitors can be used to open a constricted vessel to improve the blood flow. Also, vasodilators can be used for the same purpose. Some vasodilators that can be used include benazepril enalapril, quinapril, and perindopril (Heart.org, 2017).

However, the ACE inhibitors are very selective and ought not to be taken with some medications unless doctors are consulted: the Thiazide diuretics can lead to further decrease in the blood pressure, which consequently reduce the blood supply. Also, the beta-blockers including acebutolol and atenolol are likely to cause adverse effects if used without doctor’s approval.

Typical Time Frame for Patient Full Recovery OR How Long Following Medical Intervention until the Patient is Considered Able to Return to Full Functional Abilities (or return to PLOF).

The time frame required for a patient to attain full recovery depends on the stage of CHF’s condition. The class 1 is the initial stage where the patient does not experience any symptoms during the physical activity. Here, changing the lifestyle is the best strategy to address (Heart.org, 2017). The typical time frame for this stage is undefined since no symptoms are yet experienced at this stage. The class II is characterized by fatigue, palpitations and struggling to breathe. This stage takes around one month and requires lifestyle changes and heart medications to address. Class III stage is complicated to treat more the previous stages. This step may take up to 9 months since it can only be addressed by treating the heart, and recovery starts from there. The last stage, class IV has no cure, and the remaining option is using palliative care treatment to improve the quality of life for a patient. At this stage, the victim hardly do a physical activity.

Types of PT Interventions that are Typically Used to Treat the Condition During the:

Acute phase

The acute phase of CHF comprises class I and II stages. The former can be addressed by changing the patient’s lifestyle and offering heart medication and intensive care provision. During the acute phases, the symptoms are not notable, and the patient does not experience much abnormality (Butler, 2011). On the other hand, the class II involves a condition where the patient is comfortable at rest, but may experience fatigue on undertake any physical activity. Changing the lifestyle is one key strategy that can be used to address it.

Functional phase

The functional phase involves class III and IV. The former stage is a complicated one to treat since symptoms have started appearing. The doctor is required to provide heart medication and advice the patient on how to improve the condition. On the other hand, the last step cannot be treated anymore, but offering palliative care is the only remaining option.

Possible Recommended Interventions that Do not Fall Under the PTA’s Scope of Work

The PTAs undertake work within the physical therapist practice. The two main recommended interventions comprise using palliative care treatment and changing the patient’s lifestyle. Also, using the ACE inhibitors do not necessarily requires a therapists’ intervention, but can be undertaken by the patient upon professional advice (Butler, 2011). For instance, the ACE inhibitors are very selective and ought not to be taken with some medications unless when the doctors are consulted; some ACEs used can further decrease the blood pressure, which consequently lessens the blood supply. Using other medications such as beta-blockers, including and atenolol are likely to cause adverse effects if used without doctor’s approval and need to be avoided until the specialist recommends it.

An Example daily Treatment Plan for the Patient 3 Weeks Following Injury/Medical Intervention Based on Information Found During Your Research

References

Butler, J. (2011). Congestive Heart Failure Special Issue on Advanced Heart Failure. Congestive Heart Failure, 17(4), p-159-159.

Congestive Heart Failure: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional: 2011 Edition: ScholarlyPaper. (2012). ScholarlyEditions.

Ettinger, S. (2017). Cardiopathy and Congestive Heart Failure. Nutritional Pathophysiology of Obesity and its Comorbidities, p-99-128.

Heart.org. (2017, April 30). Treatment Options for Heart Failure. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/treatment-options-for-heart-failure