Diagnosis heart failure | Heart failure

Diagnosis heart failure

The most important cornerstone is the detailed questioning of the patient (anamnesis). In particular, previous illnesses, such as heart attacks, the exact course of symptoms or currently taken medication are of great importance. Patients who are already taking dehydrating medication (“water tablets”) can still be free of symptoms at rest, even though the heart is already very weak.

This is followed by a physical examination. During this examination, the doctor pays attention to possible heart murmurs during auscultation (“listening”), water retention and congestion of the neck veins. Certain laboratory values, such as BNP or ANP, may be detected in your blood.

Every cardiac insufficiency diagnosis also includes an ECG and a heart ultrasound examination (echocardiography). During this painless examination, physicians can evaluate your heart function three-dimensionally and in real time using ultrasound waves. For further clarification, an X-ray of the chest area (thorax) is also recommended.

This allows the size of the heart, potential accumulation of fluid in the lungs or congestion of the vessels to be assessed. In case of special questions, tomography (MRT, CT), cardiac catheterization or biopsies can also be used. These tests are performed in the case of cardiac insufficiency

ECG for a cardiac insufficiency

The ECG plays an important role in the diagnosis of cardiac insufficiency. The examination can sometimes provide valuable information about possible causes of the disease. These include: In the course of cardiac insufficiency, the affected half of the heart gradually increases in size, which can be recognized as an excessive load on the ECG. By means of e.g. deviating position types, typical signs of cardiac enlargement (hypertrophy signs) or excitation dysfunction, physicians can draw conclusions about the following pathological phenomena: In addition to the resting ECG, an exercise ECG can also provide information about the condition of our heart.

  • Previous heart attacks
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Coronary heart disease (CHD)
  • Myocarditis
  • Chronic right heart strain
  • Acute right heart strain
  • Chronic left heart strain