Diagnose Congestive Heart Failure

Rejekine. The diagnosis of congestive heart failure is the most common clinically based on knowledge of the relevant medical history from the patient, physical examination carefully, and laboratory tests are selected.
Thorough patient history may reveal the presence of one or more of the symptoms of congestive heart failure described above. In addition, a history of significant coronary artery disease, previous heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, or significant alcohol use could be clues.
The physical examination focused on detecting the presence of extra fluid in the body (the voices of breath, swelling of the legs, or neck veins) as well as a careful pengkarakteristikan condition of the heart (pulse, heart size, heart sounds, and rustle-rustle or murmurs).
Diagnostic tests are helpful, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest x-rays to investigate the possibility of prior heart attacks, arrhythmia, cardiac enlargement, and fluid in and around the lungs. Diagnostic test may be the single most useful is the echocardiogram, in which ultrasound is used to image (image) of heart muscle, valve structures, and patterns of blood flow. Echocardiogram is very useful in diagnosing heart muscle weakness. In addition, tests can suggest possible causes for the weaknesses of the heart muscle (eg, prior heart attack, and valve abnormalities are severe). Almost all patients to her diagnosis of congestive heart failure is suspected should ideally perform echocardiography at the beginning of their assessment.
Nuclear medical studies to assess the overall pumping ability of the heart and examine the possibility of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. Cardiac catheterization allow delineation (visualization) the arteries to the heart with angiography (using the dye in the blood vessels that can be viewed using the methods of x-ray). During catheterization the pressure in and around the heart can be measured and performance (achievement) assessed heart. In rare cases, a biopsy of heart tissue may be recommended to diagnose specific diseases. This biopsy can often be implemented through the use of a special catheter is inserted into a vein and dimaneuver into the right side of the heart.
Another useful diagnostic test is a blood test called BNP or brain natriuretic peptide levels. These levels can vary with age and gender but typically rise from heart failure and may help in diagnosis, and may be useful in following response to treatment of congestive heart failure.
The choice of tests depends on each patient's case and is based on the suspected diagnoses.