OK, 56 year old woman presents with weakness, diaphoresis, nausea, diarrhea, and Dyspnea at rest. BP 140/80, pulse thready 80, RR 28, lungs clear, temp 98. Onset of symptoms 20 minutes ago. History, hypothyroid, arthritis, HTN, depression. Meds zoloft, celebrex, levoxyl, atenolol. Recent history of elevated cholesterol 300's per husband, and just started zocor 2 days ago. Random BS 112.
Am I just a paranoid former cardiac nurse? Because the first thing I thought was MI. Women commonly present with symptoms that are atypical. Coupled w the recent elevated cholesterol. Either that, or she is having that atypical weakness caused by the statin meds. I know of one lady who almost was parlyzed, and developed rhabdo after being on it for 2 weeks.
This just happened to my neighbor, and I just sent her 911. She wanted her hubby to drive her, but she was so weak, she could barely walk. I was a little annoyed that the squad didn't call in MICU, and put her on a monitor. They said her vitals were stable, but just to look at her, my gut screamed MI. They even took the oxygen off b/c she didn't feel any better with it on after 10 minutes!
ER nurses especially, I am interested in your input. I encouraged her to get an ekg at the least, b/c if it is MI, she is a good candidate for thrombolyitcs, being that the onset was only 20 minutes ago. This woman is a strong person and no whiner by any means, to see her so pale and weak, well, it's not just gastroenteritis!
