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- Title
Cardiomyopathy: A Rare Cause of an Old Foe.
- Authors
McIntyre, C.; Clark, N.
- Abstract
Cardiomyopathies are conditions that lead to impairment of the heart muscle. The etiologies of cardiomyopathies are varied, with ischemic heart disease being the primary cause. The purpose of this presentation is to review a case study of a middle-aged female who presented to hospital with worsening shortness of breath; initially being treated as a newly diagnosed cardiomyopathy. Preliminary laboratory findings were in keeping with an undiag-nosed hyperthyroidism, Graves' Disease. In a hyperthyroid state, TSH levels will be low and free T3 or T4 will be high. Patients usually present with a multitude of symptoms that may include: palpitations, hair loss, heat intolerance and muscle aches/weakness. If left untreated, the body may become thyroid toxic. Although hyperthyroidism is a relatively common endocrine dysfunction, this patient's clinical scenario manifested into significant cardiac complications. The nursing implications of caring for a patient with hyperthyroid-induced cardiomyopathy are significant, as this type of cardiomyopathy is rare and, yet, can result in a major adverse event. Thyroid hormones have a profound effect on cardiovascular hemodynamics. Therefore, a better understanding of the implications of abnormalities of hormone levels will contribute to improved clinical practice.
- Subjects
GRAVES' disease; CARDIOMYOPATHIES; DISEASE complications
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2016, Vol 26, Issue 3, p6
- ISSN
0843-6096
- Publication type
Article