About Testing for Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not effectively pumping blood. This heart disease causes an accumulation of fluids in the lungs when the left side of the heart is affected. When the right side of the heart is not pumping properly, congestion develops in the veins and liver.Various tests and examinations are performed to assess the severity of the condition to administer proper treatment.

Identification

• Symptoms of congestive heart failure include fatigue and reduced ability to perform physical activity. The entire body becomes compromised by the excess fluids. Swelling may be noticed in the abdomen, legs and ankles. Congested lungs can cause shortness of breath or a chronic cough. Lying on the back to sleep may be difficult. A loss of appetite and abdominal pain may indicate a back up of fluids in the intestines and liver.

History

• Information revealed through a patient history may assist in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Past experiences of high blood pressure, diabetes, previous heart attack or coronary artery disease need to be reported to the physician. Instances of a family history of heart disease or genetic defects should also be divulged.

Physical Examination

• The doctor will execute a careful, thorough physical examination. With a stethoscope, listening to the heart will reveal the pulse rate, an irregular heartbeat, a murmur or possible enlargement of the heart. The sounds of breathing in the lungs will indicate the presence of abnormal fluid. A blood-pressure reading will also be taken. The doctor will probe for signs of swelling in the ankles and abdomen. A stress test may be administered to investigate how the heart handles physical activity.

Laboratory Tests

• Blood tests are taken to check for anemia, mineral and sodium levels, kidney function and proficiency of clotting. Oxygenation of the blood is also measured. Blood may also be tested for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a protein secreted by the heart muscles. Increasing levels of BNP indicate the degree of malfunction in the heart muscle cells of the left ventricle and are a good indicator of the progression of congestive heart failure.

Imaging Tests

• Several other options are available for testing for congestive heart failure. An electrocardiogram (ECG) records heart activity through electrical impulses received from electrodes placed on the chest, arms and legs. A chest X-ray discloses excess fluid in or around the lungs. Echocardiograms use ultrasound to assess the behavior of the valves in the heart and determine the physical health of the heart muscles. An MRI can be used to calculate how well the heart is functioning. Sometimes a heart catheterization is performed in which a dye is injected into the blood vessels to examine the blood flow in and around the heart using an X-ray