iHuman Case Study: Bertie Bridges -
86-Year-Old Female with Progressive
Fatigue & Palpitations | Optimized for
2025/2026 Academic Year – Pass
Exams on First Attempt and Avoid
Resits
,## iHuman Case Study: Bertie Bridges - 86-Year-Old Female with Progressive Fatigue & Palpitations
### Case Overview
| Feature | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Patient** | Bertie Bridges |
| **Age** | 86 years old |
| **Gender** | Female |
| **Height/Weight** | 5'2" (157 cm) / 122 lbs (55.5 kg) |
| **BMI** | 22.3 (Within normal range) |
| **Setting** | Outpatient Primary Care / Geriatric Assessment Clinic |
| **Chief Complaint** | Progressive fatigue, exertional shortness of breath, and palpitations |
| **Case Year** | 2025/2026 |
### Subjective Data (History Collection)
#### Chief Complaint in Patient's Own Words
> *"Yesterday I had a situation at water aerobics that was very alarming. I felt gradually more and more
short of breath, and then it got even more severe, my heart started racing. I was really scared. When my
instructor took my pulse it was 120 and regular."*
#### History of Present Illness (HPI)
, **The Acute Episode (Yesterday):**
- Occurred during regular water aerobics class (attended twice weekly for 5 years without prior incident)
- Gradual onset of shortness of breath over 10-15 minutes
- Progressed to severe dyspnea requiring cessation of exercise
- Palpitations described as "heart racing"
- Associated lightheadedness and feeling scared
- Pulse measured by instructor: **120 bpm, regular**
- Symptoms completely resolved after resting for 30 minutes
- Instructor insisted on medical evaluation before return to class
**Chronic Fatigue (Past Several Weeks):**
- Insidious onset over approximately 3-4 weeks
- Initially attributed to "just getting older"
- Fatigue present upon waking and persists throughout the day
- Not fully relieved by a full night's sleep
- Reduced desire to engage in usual household chores and social activities
- Notes water aerobics class has become more taxing over last 2-3 sessions, needing more frequent
breaks
**Context:**
- Denies chest pain, pressure, or tightness during episode or at rest
- Denies orthopnea (needing extra pillows to sleep)
- Denies paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)
- Denies edema in feet/ankles
#### Past Medical History (PMH)
86-Year-Old Female with Progressive
Fatigue & Palpitations | Optimized for
2025/2026 Academic Year – Pass
Exams on First Attempt and Avoid
Resits
,## iHuman Case Study: Bertie Bridges - 86-Year-Old Female with Progressive Fatigue & Palpitations
### Case Overview
| Feature | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Patient** | Bertie Bridges |
| **Age** | 86 years old |
| **Gender** | Female |
| **Height/Weight** | 5'2" (157 cm) / 122 lbs (55.5 kg) |
| **BMI** | 22.3 (Within normal range) |
| **Setting** | Outpatient Primary Care / Geriatric Assessment Clinic |
| **Chief Complaint** | Progressive fatigue, exertional shortness of breath, and palpitations |
| **Case Year** | 2025/2026 |
### Subjective Data (History Collection)
#### Chief Complaint in Patient's Own Words
> *"Yesterday I had a situation at water aerobics that was very alarming. I felt gradually more and more
short of breath, and then it got even more severe, my heart started racing. I was really scared. When my
instructor took my pulse it was 120 and regular."*
#### History of Present Illness (HPI)
, **The Acute Episode (Yesterday):**
- Occurred during regular water aerobics class (attended twice weekly for 5 years without prior incident)
- Gradual onset of shortness of breath over 10-15 minutes
- Progressed to severe dyspnea requiring cessation of exercise
- Palpitations described as "heart racing"
- Associated lightheadedness and feeling scared
- Pulse measured by instructor: **120 bpm, regular**
- Symptoms completely resolved after resting for 30 minutes
- Instructor insisted on medical evaluation before return to class
**Chronic Fatigue (Past Several Weeks):**
- Insidious onset over approximately 3-4 weeks
- Initially attributed to "just getting older"
- Fatigue present upon waking and persists throughout the day
- Not fully relieved by a full night's sleep
- Reduced desire to engage in usual household chores and social activities
- Notes water aerobics class has become more taxing over last 2-3 sessions, needing more frequent
breaks
**Context:**
- Denies chest pain, pressure, or tightness during episode or at rest
- Denies orthopnea (needing extra pillows to sleep)
- Denies paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)
- Denies edema in feet/ankles
#### Past Medical History (PMH)
