A Second Chance at Life: A 70-Year-Old Woman Presents the First Pennant to the Cardiology Department

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common health threats among the elderly, with its incidence and mortality rates ranking highest among all diseases. As age increases, blood vessels gradually harden, and cardiac function may decline, making the elderly more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. At the Cardiovascular Medicine Center of HeYou Hospital, we welcomed a special inpatient...

  
 Grandma Si (pseudonym), aged 77, had been living with chronic diseases for a long time. Although she required regular medication, her condition remained relatively stable, and she could manage daily activities independently. However, her dyspnea symptoms had recently worsened significantly, and on the night before admission, she endured the agony of being unable to lie flat to sleep.


On May 24, accompanied by her family, Grandma Si visited the clinic of Director Hua Xianping at the Cardiovascular Medicine Center of HeYou Hospital. Director Hua quickly reviewed Grandma Si's medical history and medication regimen, conducting a thorough and comprehensive examination. He determined that Grandma Si's condition was severe and required immediate hospitalization.

Upon admission, Grandma Si presented with an acute ill appearance, dyspnea, inability to lie flat, moist rales in the lungs, lower extremity edema, a blood pressure of 177/144 mmHg, and an oxygen saturation of only 88%. The laboratory reported a critical value: significantly elevated arterial carbon dioxide.

Simultaneously, Grandma Si experienced an acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, accompanied by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension stage 3 (very high risk), type II respiratory failure, and pulmonary infection, indicating a critical condition. Professor Cao Shiping, Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, promptly organized a multidisciplinary consultation and formulated a treatment plan. The nursing team arranged a detailed care plan and health education program.

 
Given the complexity of Grandma Si's condition, with a history of hypertension, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and a femoral neck fracture; she had also experienced delirium (an acute brain dysfunction) at another hospital and had received invasive ventilation via endotracheal intubation for pulmonary encephalopathy. Therefore, during this hospitalization, the Cardiovascular Medicine Center promptly initiated non-invasive ventilation, supplemented by comprehensive treatments including inotropic support, diuresis, and anti-infection therapy.

 

The morning after admission, Grandma Si's blood gas indicators showed significant improvement in carbon dioxide retention. After her condition stabilized, the nursing team assisted Grandma Si with daily rehabilitation exercises to promote rapid recovery. On May 30, Grandma Si was discharged from the hospital after recovery.

Upon discharge, Grandma Si's son, to express gratitude to the medical team of the HeYou Cardiovascular Medicine Center, specially presented flowers and a pennant, stating: "Thank you to every medical staff member at HeYou Hospital. You have embodied the spirit of medical benevolence through your actions. We will remember this kindness and wish the hospital continued success."