Tests for Heart Failure

• Cardiac Assessment
• Cardiac Catheterization to diagnose coronary artery disease and evaluate previous heart attacks
• Chest X-ray to check for heart enlargement
• Echocardiogram (Echo) to check valve function and heart size by ultrasound
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the electrical activity of the heart and to diagnose abnormalities, such as a previous heart attack
• Nuclear ventriculogram to evaluate the pumping function of the heart

Treatment for Heart Failure

After a full physical exam and the information obtained from your tests, your doctor will be able to determine the best treatment plan for you. Whatever plan you and your doctor choose will be explained to you in full detail.  Many of the conditions that lead to heart failure cannot be reversed.  In most cases, heart failure is a chronic condition that will not go away, although it may be successfully managed by taking medications and making healthy changes in habits such as diet and exercise. 

General treatments include:

• Monitoring daily weight
• Monitoring signs and symptoms
• Salt and fluid restrictions
• Treatment of hypertension
• Cholesterol management
• Physical activity
• Quit smoking
• Discontinuing alcohol and illegal drug use
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Medications
  • ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors - are a type of vasodilator that expand and relax blood vessels and decrease resistance. Blood is able to flow more easily and decrease the workload of the heart. Some people experience an irritating cough while taking ACE inhibitors. Please consult your physician about other alternative medications if you are experiencing a cough.
  • Beta Blockers are a group of drugs that act by blocking specific receptors in the nervous system. Beta blockage results in a slowing of the heart rate, lowering of blood pressure and reduction of anxiety. Beta blockers also help blood vessels relax and open up to improve blood flow.
  • ARB's - have many of the same effects as ACE inhibitors without the irritating cough.
  • Diuretics - (water pills) causes patients to urinate and keeps fluid from building up in the body, which is common in heart failure patients. Removing excess fluid reduces the strain and workload of the heart. Some diuretics cause yor body to lose potassium and mangesium, your doctor may prescribe supplements of these minerals.
  • Digoxin - improves the hearts ability to pump blood by increasing the strength of heart muscle contractions. In addition, it has the ability to slow a heartbeat that is too fast.

Additional treatments for Heart Failure:

Surgical and Medical Devices

For some heart failure patients,surgery may be an option to treat the underlying problem that led to your heart failure.  For example, a damaged heart valve which is causing your Heart Failure  may be repaired or replaced surgically.  Another cause of heart failure is severe coronary artery disease, which may be treated by cardiac catheterization or coronary bypass surgery.

Many people with heart failure have problems with the electrical function of their hearts. As a result, the heart's beating pattern may not be normal. This can reduce the pumping efficiency of the heart.  About a third of people with heart failure get a dangerously fast heartbeat or tachycardia.  A fast heartbeat increases the risk that someone with heart failure can go into cardiac arrest.

Some patients with heart failure may need a Pacemaker or Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD). A pacemaker stimulates your heart to beat in a synchronized pattern. An ICD is used to treat potentially dangerous arrhythmias. These devices continuously monitor the heartbeat and automatically deliver a small electrical shock to the heart if a sustained rapid heart rhythm occurs.