POST RETIREMENT CHEST PAINS Essay Example

Post Retirement Chest Pains

Post Retirement Chest Pains

The human body is the embodiment of evolution and adaptation, once subjected to any routine the body adapts to suit this routine. Post retirement has its own set of challenges, during this period the body that had been subjected to many stresses had adapted to them now has to adjust to a new relaxed schedule. This abrupt change has its own effects one of them being the appearance of new symptoms one of the most common being pains. Patients with these symptoms are often found to have been working in highly stressful jobs before their retirement. In this case study, the patient is developing these symptoms despite feeling that he is in good health. The patient’s vital signs and other findings are used to make the picture clearer

Diagnosis

The patient’s pulse reading shows that he has Tachycardia symptoms due to his abnormally high pulse rate, this usually points to certain diseases or heart problems although is if it is temporary it could be caused by the pain felt by the patient[ CITATION Med09 l 1033 ]. The irregular and thread pulse could also be caused by the pain. The skin of the patient appears to have an ashen gray color with a high perspiration rate also referred to as being diaphoretic, this can indicate a number of conditions one of them being a shock. The patient though does not to have any history of trauma. My preliminary diagnosis would indicate the patient may be under situational stress common with retirement from highly stressful jobs and lack of relaxation. A differential diagnosis could point to a heart problem that may be developing from the abrupt change from a high powered job and undue stress.

Assessment

The A to E-assessment is an assessment and treatment approach used by medical professionals during clinical emergencies. This approach assists these professionals to focus on the primary problems that are common during life-threatening clinical cases. The approach is represented as a mnemonic ABCDE which stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability and Exposure[ CITATION Thi12 l 1033 ]. It offers a systematic approach to diagnosing patients especially when their definitive diagnosis is difficult to determine. The patient’s A to E-assessment is as follows:

1. From the patient’s voice, I can determine that the airway is patent

2. The patient has a fairly rapid respiratory rate but has no breathing difficulty

3. The patient has an elevated pulse rate, has an ashy gray color and is diaphoretic

4. The patient is alert

5. Retirement related concerns or stressed

Pathophysiology

The pain felt by the patient seems to stem from the retirement from a very stressful job. Chest pains can be caused by certain conditions, they include heart problems, lung problems, gastrointestinal problems, and muscle or nerve problems. The patient exhibits signs of a possible heart problem since he describes the pain as crushing and sometimes ending in the jaw[ CITATION Kon10 l 1033 ]. This type of chest pain is known as angina as it is caused by lack of enough oxygen and blood flow due to a blocked blood vessel. Angina is commonly brought about by emotional distress or over excitement and is usually remedied by rest

Investigation

I would recommend that the patient is taken through a stress test and an echocardiogram to determine the cause of or rule out the Angina. Am echocardiogram will help to see if the heart muscles are pumping properly and whether there is a blockage in any of the vessels[ CITATION Sta15 l 1033 ]. The stress test will determine whether the patient’s retirement related psychological behavior is triggering these chest pains.

Treatment

According to my provisional diagnosis, I would recommend that the patient takes a rest and avoid engaging himself in the work of his successor. I would also recommend that he avoids hard exercises as it is a known trigger of angina. I would urge the patient to take up a hobby or job that would distract him from the workings of his successor, this would also help him keep busy and happy thus de-stressing him

Transport

There is no urgent need to transport the patient to any health facility as he does not show signs of any immediate danger although I would recommend that he visits a facility that specializes in heart problems since the symptoms he exhibits make him a candidate for future heart problems. I would also recommend he visits a therapist to help him cope with the retirement transition and stress related with it.

References