How Heart Failure is Diagnosed
... To diagnose heart failure, your doctor will first ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will want to know: If you have any other health conditions such as diabetes, ki...

Signs and symptoms
... Heart failure typically doesn''t occur suddenly. It develops slowly, over time. It''s usually a chronic, long-term condition. The first and often only symptom may be shortness of breath. Signs and sym...

Causes
... Your circulatory system includes arteries and veins. Arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the organs and tissues of your body. Veins bring oxygen-poor blood back to your heart to be cycled through yo...

Risk factors
... A single risk factor may be sufficient to cause heart failure, but a combination of factors dramatically increases the risk. Risk factors include: Age. Advanced age adds to the potential impact of any...

When to seek medical advice
... See your doctor if you experience any of the signs or symptoms associated with heart failure. Often signs and symptoms of heart failure initiate an emergency room visit, where the condition may first ...

Screening and diagnosis
... In many cases, doctors diagnose heart failure by taking a careful medical history and performing a physical examination. Your doctor will also check for the presence of risk factors such as high blood...