Jack Williams is a septuagenarian male with a history of coronary artery disease
ID: 139806 • Letter: J
Question
Jack Williams is a septuagenarian male with a history of coronary artery disease and hypertension. He comes into your setting with a several day history of fever, headache, and weakness. His wife states that he seemed confused and she was having difficulty understanding what he was saying to her this morning. His vitals were 103o F temperature, BP 96/52, HR 101 bpm, and RR 20/minute. On exam his mental status was drowsy and he was oriented only to person. His neurological exam was non-focal.
Given the fever, the answer is likely meningitis. However, stroke, TIA, and other conditions could present in the same way.
Meningitis in the U.S. is typically caused by a viral infection. Along with other signs and symptoms headache, confusion and drowsiness may be present.
Headache and confusion may also be present with a TIA or a stroke, as well as difficulty in communication.
It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of both meningitis and stroke/TIA as prompt medical attention is required in both cases
.Does Mr. William’s history of coronary artery disease and hypertension put him at higher risk for the condition? Why or why not? Be specific and draw on your text and other sources to support your decision(s)
Explanation / Answer
Coronary artery disease and hypertension increases the chances for stroke, TIAs.
Hypertension leads to damaging the blood vessels and posing higher resistance to blood flow. This results in atherosclerosis, clot formation and compromised blood supply. Hypertension may result in clot formation (thrombosis) in brain blood vessels resulting in TIAs or stroke.
Coronary artery disease results in impaired blood supply to the heart. This makes the heart incompetent to supply blood to differdnt organs as well as brain. Compromised blood supply to brain causes oxygen deprivation of brain tissue leading to TIAs and stroke.
So we can say that yes coronary artery disease and hypertension increase risk of stroke and TIAs.
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