How Is Heart Failure Diagnosed?

There is not a specific test to determine if you have heart failure. A clinical diagnosis of heart failure is usually made when symptoms appear. The symptoms'shortness of breath, tiredness, and fluid buildup'are common in other conditions.

Your doctor will determine if you have heart failure by performing a detailed medical history, a physical exam, and several tests.

The purpose of these is to:

Identify the presence of diseases and conditions that can cause heart failure
Rule out other causes of your symptoms
Determine the amount of damage to and the pumping capability of your heart

Medical and Family History

Your doctor will ask if you or others in your family have or have had any of the diseases and conditions that can cause heart failure. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms. This includes the types of symptoms, when they occur, how long you have had them, and their severity. The answers will help your doctor determine the limits on your ability to perform daily activities.

Physical Examination

Your doctor will:

Listen to your heart for abnormal sounds
Listen to your lungs for the buildup of fluid
Look for swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, and abdomen
Look for swelling in the veins in the neck

Tests

If you have signs and symptoms of heart failure, here are some tests:

EKG (electrocardiogram). This test is used to measure therate and regularity of your heartbeat. It may show if you have had a heart attack or if there is thickening of the walls in your heart's pumping chambers (ventricles).
Chest x ray. A chest x ray takes a picture of your heart and lungs. It can show if your heart is enlarged, if you have fluid in your lungs, or if you have lung disease.
BNP blood test. This new test checks the level of a hormone called BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) that rises in heart failure.

If your doctor suspects heart failure after asking about your medical and family history and performing a physical exam and initial tests (such as tests of kidney function), he or she may refer you to a cardiologist. A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The cardiologist will perform a physical exam and order additional tests.

An echocardiogram is the most useful test for diagnosing heart failure. This test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. Echocardiogram provides information about the size and shape of your heart and how well your heart chambers and valves are functioning. The test also can identify areas of poor blood flow to the heart, areas of heart muscle that are not contracting normally, and previous injury to the heart muscle caused by poor blood flow.

There are several different types of echocardiograms, including a stress echocardiogram. During this test, an echocardiogram is done both before and after your heart is stressed either by having you exercise or by injecting a medicine into your bloodstream that makes your heart beat faster and work harder. A stress echocardiogram is usually done to find out if you have decreased blood flow to your heart (coronary artery disease).

Source http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov