Congestive heart failure (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How to know you have heart failure?== | ==How to know you have heart failure?== | ||
:*BNP(Brain natriuretic peptide)/NT-proBNP(N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide) test: Either BNP or NT-proBNP may be used to help diagnose heart failure and to grade the severity of that heart failure. Foremore, the levels can help doctors differentiate between heart failure and lung diseases. | |||
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== |
Revision as of 13:44, 14 October 2009
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What is heart failure?
How do I know if I have heart failure and what are the symptoms of heart failure?
Early heart failure does not have any symptoms. As the disease developes, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Blood and fluid to back up into the lungs
- Edema in the feet, ankles and legs
- Tiredness
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for heart failure?
Certain factors increase your risk of getting heart disease, then increase your risk of getting heart failure. You are at a higher risk if you are:
- A woman age 55 or older
- A man age 45 or older
- Obesity or overweight
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heavy drinking
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
How to know you have heart failure?
- BNP(Brain natriuretic peptide)/NT-proBNP(N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide) test: Either BNP or NT-proBNP may be used to help diagnose heart failure and to grade the severity of that heart failure. Foremore, the levels can help doctors differentiate between heart failure and lung diseases.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for heart failure?
Directions to Hospitals Treating heart failure