Heart failure is a complex pathophysiologic state in which the heart is either unable to pump blood at a rate commensurate with the requirements of the metabolizing tissues or is able to do so only through an elevated diastolic filling pressure.
The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification of heart failure is widely used to quantify clinical assessment of heart failure. Breathlessness is a cardinal symptom of left ventricular (LV) failure, and cardiac symptoms of heart failure include chest pain/pressure and palpitations. Common noncardiac signs and symptoms of heart failure include anorexia, nausea, weight loss, bloating, fatigue, weakness, oliguria, nocturia, and cerebral symptoms of varying severity, ranging from anxiety to memory impairment and confusion. The detrimental effects of heart failure demand diligence in estimating patient risk and recognizing signs of heart failure.
How much do you know about the presentation and diagnosis of heart failure? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
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Cite this: Yasmine S. Ali. Fast Five Quiz: Heart Failure Presentation and Diagnosis - Medscape - Feb 16, 2021.
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