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Diagnosis of Congestive Heart or Cardiac Failure


Diagnosis of Congestive Heart or cardiac failure

Diagnosis of congestive heart failure is usually done based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination and a set of specific investigations.

Symptoms described in the previous section and additional findings like a history of heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, or alcohol abuse may provide clues.

Physical examination focuses on: finding the extra fluid and the associated features like oedema, changes in the neck veins, breath sounds. Auscultation of the heart speaks out the diagnoses to experienced clinicians.

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Useful diagnostic techniques include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Chest X-ray
  • Echocardiogram
  • Angiography
  • Very rarely biopsy of the heart tissue may be performe
  • The blood test for BNP (brain natriuretic peptide level) is also helpful. BNP typically elevates during heart failure.
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