Congestive Heart Failure Flashcards
how is ejection fraction used to classify heart failure
> 40% blood pumped out in each beat - HF with preserved ejection fraction
<40% blood pumped out in each beat - HF with reduced ejection fraction
common symptoms of HF
breathlessness on exertion or lie flat or waking you when you sleep
retaining fluid
fatigue
less common symptoms of HF
constipation
fainting
dizziness
cough
loss of appetite
common causes of HF
coronary heart disease
post-MI
less common causes of HF
cardiomyopathy
hypertension
disease of heart valves
arrythmias
drugs
severe anaemia
thyroid disease
paget’s
nutrient deficiencies
what signs of HF can be found on examination
enlarged heart
tachycardia
swollen ankles
enlarged liver
crackles on lungs
what is blood test is done for heart failure
B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)
what scan can confirm HF and ejection fraction
echocardiogram
how can fluid retention be monitored by the patient
by weighing themselves
what devices can be implanted to help HF
implantable cardioverter defibrillators
pacemakers
prognosis of HF
50% will die within 5 years of diagnosis
what is end stage heart failure
when symptoms become very severe and don’t respond to treatment
