Heart failure - diagnosis and treatment

Heart failure - diagnosis and treatment

In heart failure, the heart cannot supply the body with enough blood.

Diagnostic methods

Physical examination, symptom assessment, and medical history are provided for diagnosis.

It is necessary for the physician to determine whether the patient is at risk of developing heart failure and in the case of any possible contributing factors (high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc.), preventive measures are recommended.

Auscultation of the lungs and heart is provided.

After a physical examination, the doctor may prescribe:

  •  Blood tests.
  •  Chest X-ray.
  •  Echocardiogram.
  •  Stress test.
  •  Assessment of cardiac activity on a treadmill (treadmill, stress test);
  •  Computed tomography of the heart;
  •  Magnetic resonance imaging;
  •  Coronary angiogram;
  •  Myocardial biopsy.

Treatment

Heart failure is a chronic disease, therefore, its management is necessary throughout life.

In a large percentage of clinical cases, patients are prescribed appropriate medications.

Some kind of medical device that strengthens the heart, helping the organ to function properly, may prove effective.

Unfortunately, in some clinical cases, during the acute course, the management of heart failure becomes impossible only with surgery or drugs - at this time, the only solution is a heart transplant.

 

Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-
20373148