Heart Failure

Question 1

What is the definition of heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 1

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s demands, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.

Question 2

What are the most common causes of heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 2

The most common causes include coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular heart disease (e.g., aortic stenosis), and diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Question 3

Age is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure.

Answer 3

t

Question 4

________ is a common condition in older adults that can lead to heart failure due to increased workload on the heart.

Answer 4

Hypertension

Question 5

What are the main symptoms of heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 5

Common symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying flat), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (waking up at night with difficulty breathing), and peripheral edema (swelling).

Question 6

In older adults, heart failure symptoms may be less obvious and may be mistaken for normal aging.

Answer 6

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Question 7

The presence of ________ is a hallmark sign of heart failure and indicates fluid retention.

Answer 7

Oedema

Question 8

What are the two types of heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 8

The two main types are heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Question 9

T/F : In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the heart’s ability to contract and pump blood is impaired.

Answer 9

true

Question 10

How does heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) differ from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?

Answer 10

In HFpEF, the heart’s ability to relax and fill with blood is impaired, but the ejection fraction remains normal. In HFrEF, the heart’s ability to contract and pump blood is impaired, leading to reduced ejection fraction.

Question 11

The ejection fraction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is typically greater than ________.

Answer 11

0.5

Question 12

T/f: HFpEF is more common in elderly patients, especially those with hypertension and diabetes.

Answer 12

true

Question 13

What is the significance of the Framingham criteria in diagnosing heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 13

The Framingham criteria help in diagnosing heart failure based on clinical symptoms and signs, such as orthopnea, pulmonary edema, and elevated jugular venous pressure (JVP).

Question 14

Elevated levels of ________ are commonly used as a diagnostic marker for heart failure.

Answer 14

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)

Question 15

T/f: The BNP test is highly specific for diagnosing heart failure.

Answer 15

False (BNP levels can be elevated in other conditions such as renal failure or pulmonary embolism.)

Question 16

What are common investigations used to assess heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 16

Common investigations include electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, echocardiography, BNP levels, and sometimes cardiac MRI or CT.

Question 17

________ is a common finding on chest X-ray in heart failure patients and indicates fluid in the lungs.

Answer 17

Pulmonary edema

Question 18

What are the goals of treatment for heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 18

The goals are to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and improve survival.

Question 19

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are first-line treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Answer 19

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Question 20

________ and ________ are commonly prescribed to reduce symptoms and improve outcomes in HFrEF.

Answer 20

ACE inhibitors (or ARBs); Beta-blockers

Question 21

What additional medications may be used for managing heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 21

Additional medications may include diuretics (to manage fluid overload), aldosterone antagonists, and sacubitril-valsartan (in certain cases of HFrEF).

Question 22

Diuretics are primarily used in heart failure for their ability to decrease fluid retention and reduce symptoms such as edema and shortness of breath.

Answer 22

t

Question 23

The use of ________ can help prevent hospital admissions and death in elderly patients with HFrEF.

Answer 23

Beta-blockers

Question 24

What are the non-pharmacological treatments for heart failure in elderly patients?

Answer 24

Non-pharmacological treatments include dietary sodium restriction, fluid management, weight monitoring, regular physical activity, and patient education about symptom monitoring.

Question 25

Palliative care and end-of-life discussions should be considered for elderly patients with advanced heart failure.

Answer 25

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Question 26

What are some common complications of heart failure in the elderly?

Answer 26

Complications include arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation), renal dysfunction, thromboembolism, and worsening of comorbid conditions (e.g., diabetes, COPD).

Question 27

Elderly patients with heart failure are at an increased risk of developing ________ due to the presence of comorbid conditions and reduced mobility.

Answer 27

Thromboembolism

Question 28

Advanced heart failure may require device therapy such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a pacemaker.

Answer 28

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Question 29

How can the prognosis of heart failure in elderly patients be improved?

Answer 29

Prognosis can be improved through early diagnosis, appropriate medical management (including medications and lifestyle changes), and addressing comorbid conditions.