Patient/caregiver was educated upon findings to watch for and report with hypertension as follows:
- Chest pain and discomfort: Chronic unresolved hypertension, by causing damage and inflammation to the coronary arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, can result in episodes of chest pain and discomfort. Keep a close watch and report to your physician regarding any chest pain and/or discomfort, how insignificant it may be.
- Arrhythmia: Progressive damage to coronary blood vessels, secondary to poorly controlled hypertension, can result in compromised blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This can lead to palpitations and worsening arrhythmias, with fluttering, chest pain, and discomfort. Keep a close watch and report to your physician regarding any signs and symptoms of worsening arrhythmia, such as, fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, any episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and fainting.
- Exacerbation of SOB: Elevated BP readings can progressively deteriorate the pumping activity of heart muscle, which can result in reduced oxygenated blood supply to vital organs. This can contribute to poor oxygen pick-up, dyspnea, and exacerbation of SOB. Observe compliance with log maintenance of everyday oxygen saturation readings. Report to your physician regarding any oxygen saturations consistently below 90. Oxygen dependent individuals must report any need for increase in rate of oxygen delivery.
