Heart Failure-Exams and Tests
Heart Failure-Exams and Tests
Heart failure is a complex problem. So you will likely have several different tests over time. These tests can:
If you have symptoms that suggest heart failure, you may have:
Understanding Heart Failure -- the Basics
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump blood effectively to the lungs or the rest of the body. This can be because the person has developed a weakened heart muscle or because the heart muscle has thickened or stiffened, making it difficult to fill the heart and backing up blood into the lungs.With heart failure, the weakened heart pumps less blood than usual, causing the kidneys and adrenal glands to produce chemicals that help the body to hold onto salt and water. In...
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An echocardiogram is the best and simplest way to diagnose heart failure. It also can help guide treatment.
Sometimes, because of a person's weight, breast size, or severe lung disease, an echocardiogram might not be accurate. If that happens, a cardiac blood pool scan may be done instead. It checks how well the left ventricle is pumping. But it's not as good at finding heart valve disease and a thick heart muscle.
Tests also may be done to find areas of the heart that are not getting enough blood. These tests include:
When you're taking medicine for heart failure, you may have regular blood tests to check how the medicine is working.
- Find out if you have heart failure.
- Find the cause of your heart failure.
- Find the type of heart failure you have.
- Show how bad your heart failure is (class and stage).
- See how well your treatment is working.
If you have symptoms that suggest heart failure, you may have:
Recommended Related to Heart Failure
Understanding Heart Failure -- the Basics
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump blood effectively to the lungs or the rest of the body. This can be because the person has developed a weakened heart muscle or because the heart muscle has thickened or stiffened, making it difficult to fill the heart and backing up blood into the lungs.With heart failure, the weakened heart pumps less blood than usual, causing the kidneys and adrenal glands to produce chemicals that help the body to hold onto salt and water. In...
Read the Understanding Heart Failure -- the Basics article > >
- A review of your medical history and a physical exam.
- Lab tests.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) and stress tests.
- Chest X-ray.
- Echocardiogram (echo).
- Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).
- Cardiac catheterization.
An echocardiogram is the best and simplest way to diagnose heart failure. It also can help guide treatment.
Sometimes, because of a person's weight, breast size, or severe lung disease, an echocardiogram might not be accurate. If that happens, a cardiac blood pool scan may be done instead. It checks how well the left ventricle is pumping. But it's not as good at finding heart valve disease and a thick heart muscle.
Tests also may be done to find areas of the heart that are not getting enough blood. These tests include:
- Cardiac perfusion scan. This test can show poor blood flow to the heart.
- Cardiac catheterization. This test can be used to check for blocked or narrowed heart arteries and to measure pressures inside the heart.
When you're taking medicine for heart failure, you may have regular blood tests to check how the medicine is working.
More information
- How Often You'll See Your Doctor for Heart Failure
- Systolic Heart Failure
- Diastolic Heart Failure
- Right-Sided Heart Failure
- High-Output Heart Failure
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