Congestive Heart Failure

Question 1

What it is?

Answer 1

When left and right sided heart failure co-exist (doesn’t need to start at the same time)

Question 2

What are the main causes? (2)

Answer 2

Coronary artery disease and hypertension

Question 3

Other causes

Answer 3

Valve disease, drugs, toxins, thyroid, infections

Question 4

Is it common?

Answer 4

Relatively, 1-2% of adults have heart failure

Question 5

Who does it affect?

Answer 5

Mainly over 70, more common in men

Question 6

Symptoms (4)

Answer 6

Dyspnoea, fatigue, peripheral and pulmomary oedema, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

Question 7

Signs (7)

Answer 7

Ascites, raised JVP, tachypnoea, tachycardia, displaced apex beat, bilateral inspiratory crackles, pleural effusions

Question 8

Investigations (6)

Answer 8

ECG, ECHO, Bloods (BNP), Chest X-ray, Exercise tests, Lung function tests

Question 9

What criteria is used to diagnose heart failure?

Answer 9

Simultaneous presence of at least 2 major criteria or 1 major with 2 minor

Question 10

Drug Treatment (5)

Answer 10

Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, B-blockers, Digoxin, Vasodilators

Question 11

Non Drug Treatment (5)

Answer 11

Smoking cessation, weight loss, treat the cause (e.g anaemia, thyroid disease, valve disease), Nutrition, Oxygen

Question 12

Is it a good prognosis?

Answer 12

No, 50% die within 4 years of diagnosis