Diagnosing congestive heart failure involves a series of tests and procedures.  The process of diagnosis usually initiates with the elaborate discussion of medical background and some physical examinations as well. The doctor would also evaluate the presence of certain risk factors, like blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. The lungs would also be evaluated to detect any congestion. After the routine physical examinations, the doctor would recommend some other tests that include:

 Blood tests: A blood sample would be taken for checking your thyroid functions and the kidneys and also to find out any other indicators of diseases that could affect the heart. Additionally, the doctor might as well check the blood sample for some specific chemical prominence that could lead to heart failure, like the brain natriuretic peptide hormone or BNP. Although this hormone is first identified in our brain, but it is as well secreted by our heart when the heart is either injured or is over-stressed.
 Chest X-ray: X-ray images are a great aid for doctors and helps in identifying the condition of the heart as well as the lungs. Incase of congestive heart failure, the heart might appear to be larger than usual and the development of fluids in the lungs can also be visible. The doctor might as well diagnose some other conditions, besides heart failure that can be an explanation for the symptoms manifested.
 ECG or Electrocardiogram: With the help of this test the electrical activity of the heart can be tested with the use of electrodes that are attached to the skin. The impulses generated are recorded in the form of waves and then displayed on the monitor or is printed on a piece of paper. This test allows the doctor to have a clear picture of the heart rhythms and any problem associated with it that can cause potential damage to the heart.
 Echocardiogram: It happens to be one of the most vital tests for diagnosing as well as monitoring congestive heart failure. With echocardiogram, the doctors can as well distinguish the systolic and the diastolic heart failure. In an echocardiogram, sound waves are used to produce video images of the heart. These images assist doctors in determining whether the heart has been pumping efficiently or not by measuring the amount (in percentage) of pumped blood out of the heart’s principal pumping chamber, which is the left ventricle, with every single heartbeat. This measurement is known as ejection fraction.
 Ejection fraction: The ejection fraction would be measured during the echocardiogram. This is a vital measurement to identify whether or not the heart is pumping efficiently and further helps in classifying heart failure and guiding the treatment. A healthy heart has an ejection fraction of approximately 60%.

Apart from these, some additional tests like Stress test, Coronary catheterization or angiogram and Cardiac CT or MRI scan can be done. These tests help in further confirming the extent of congestive heart failure that could possibly lead to severe consequences. Depending on the reports of the tests conducted, the treatment procedure would be planned by the doctor for betterment.

Filed under: Congestive Heart Failure

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