A 50-year-old female presents to the urgent care clinic with complaints of severe fatigue and indigestion. She relates that shehas hypertension and is a long-time smoker. She has a stressful job and is fearful of losing her home because of divorce. She does not exercise regularly because of the fatigue and intermittent leg pain she experiences when she walks. She appears very anxious. Her BP is 190/100 and pulse is 90, weak and irregular. She is given oxygen and an EKG is ordered, along with blood work for enzymes and electrolytes. The tentative diagnosis is MI.
1. List the risk factors for atherosclerosis that this patient has. (5 points)
2. Describe how atherosclerosis can cause myocardial infarction. (10 points)
3. What can blood tests reveal about this patient’s conditionand why? (10 points)