CASE STUDY:
60-Year-Old Female With Mild Dyspnea on Exertion

CLINICAL INFORMATION

CHIEF COMPLAINT

Mild dyspnea on exertion

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

Patient is a 60-year-old female who was treated for what was felt to be pneumonia with several courses of antibiotics by her internist prior to referral for pulmonary evaluation. She worked in a public school, routinely climbing many flights of stairs on a daily basis. She had noted some mild dyspnea on exertion but this did not limit her activity. She denied cough, fevers, chest pain, and generally felt well.

ADDITIONAL DATA

Past Medical History: No significant past medical history, other than hypercholesterolemia
No h/o drug use, smoking, occupational exposures, or collagen vascular disease

Medications: Simvastatin

Physical Exam: Exam was notable for bilateral lower-lobe rales, normal cardiac exam, no clubbing or edema, no skin lesions or joint disease

Data: Lab work was unremarkable other than an elevated total cholesterol and LDL.

Echocardiogram: mild-moderate aortic regurgitation, mild mitral regurgitation, and normal LV systolic function

PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS