Healthremedy123.com – If you suspect that you have heart failure, you will be required to undergo several tests to determine the underlying cause of your condition. Your doctor will also recommend a heart catheterization if your chest pain is worsening or if there is evidence of a narrowing of the arteries in your chest. This test is not a replacement for a medical exam, but it is an important one nonetheless. This procedure helps your doctor diagnose the condition, identify risk factors, and monitor the side effects of medicines.
Diagnosing and Determining the Best Treatment
Diagnostic tests for heart failure may include a variety of different procedures and diagnostic methods. Your doctor will most likely conduct a physical exam and ask you several questions about your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle. Providing honest answers to these questions will help your doctor diagnose the condition accurately and determine the best course of treatment. Afterward, your doctor may conduct various tests to determine whether you have heart failure or not. Generally, these tests are painless and will determine if your heart is functioning properly.
A physical exam for heart failure includes a careful medical history. The doctor will check the condition of your heart and lungs, and look for any swelling that may be associated with fluid buildup. The doctor may also prescribe certain blood tests and other procedures to diagnose the condition. Your doctor may also order a chest x-ray to assess the condition of your heart and lungs. Your doctor will likely recommend a heart transplant if your condition is advanced or requires surgery.
Accurate Marker of Heart Failure
These tests are very important in determining the underlying cause of your condition. In addition to a BNP test, your doctor may also run a cardiac enzyme test (NT-ProBNP), urinalysis, thyroid function test, and lipid peptide. Other helpful lab tests include a complete metabolic panel, blood cell count, thyroid function test, lipid peptide, and urinalysis.
BNP is an accurate marker of heart failure. When BNP levels are 15 pmol/L, heart failure is diagnosed. Patients with suspected heart failure may undergo BNP tests, but if their BNP levels are lower, they will likely be misdiagnosed. BNP’s diagnostic odds ratio is higher when compared to other criteria, such as left ejection fraction. BNP can also detect diastolic heart failure.
The Severity of the Condition Symptoms of Heart Failure
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help treat the symptoms and help you live longer. However, heart failure is a chronic condition, and your symptoms may get worse over time. Hence, it is important to visit your doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your symptoms. You should also make sure that you schedule follow-ups regularly to check on the progress of your condition. If you notice any sudden weight changes, go to the hospital immediately for further evaluation.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) – an electrocardiogram involving electrodes placed on the chest, measures the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. An echocardiogram is used to monitor the heart’s function during exercise and helps determine which therapies are the best for your condition. Cardiac stress test – a treadmill test, that measures blood pressure and heart rate during strenuous physical activity.
Reference:
Coats, Andrew JS. “What causes the symptoms of heart failure?.” Heart 86.5 (2001): 574-578.
