How to check for heart failure?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Heart failure is a relatively common cardiac disease in our daily lives, and patients often exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. So, how should heart failure be diagnosed? Generally, the following are common tests: First, an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is a very practical and non-invasive test that can determine the presence of heart valve diseases, cardiomyopathy, and other conditions, as well as assess the heart's pumping function; Second, blood tests. For example, blood tests for electrolytes and BNP, or brain natriuretic peptide, can determine the presence of heart failure; Third, chest CT or X-rays. These can identify manifestations of pulmonary congestion caused by heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to massage for heart failure?

Patients with heart failure cannot be effectively treated by massage alone; it merely serves to alleviate symptoms. It is recommended to take medication for treatment purposes. However, massaging certain acupoints can be beneficial. Massaging the Neiguan point can significantly reduce symptoms of chest tightness and pain, and also alleviate fainting. Regularly massaging the Jiuwei point, also known as the Jianjing point, can effectively relieve angina caused by heart disease.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure is a common and frequent disease in clinical practice, often caused by severe myocardial damage, which leads to insufficient myocardial contraction and results in inadequate peripheral blood supply. The primary principles of treatment are to reduce the heart's burden, enhance its contractile strength, decrease the heart's workload, and reduce the returning blood volume to alleviate the heart's burden. Treatment involves using vasodilators to decrease cardiac resistance, positive inotropic drugs to strengthen cardiac contraction, and diuretics and a low-salt diet to reduce cardiac volume and returning blood volume. By employing these methods, the symptoms of chronic heart failure can be improved.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What are the causes of chronic heart failure?

Chronic heart failure is also relatively common in clinical settings, mainly referring to patients with existing heart diseases. If a patient with a long history of hypertension experiences lung infection and fatigue, it can trigger an acute episode of chronic heart failure. At this time, the patient may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue. It is crucial to seek prompt medical attention, where common clinical treatments include cardiotonic, diuretic, and vasodilator therapies. For chronic heart failure, treatment should also actively address and remove the underlying causes and treat the primary disease to save the patient's life.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is there a cure for chronic heart failure?

Chronic heart failure is often a later stage of many diseases, and patients in this category typically exhibit symptoms of recurrent exertional dyspnea. These symptoms are often related to physical activity, overeating, or excessive and rapid infusion of fluids. Many patients often ask their doctors if there is hope for their chronic heart failure, and the answer is definitely yes. Currently, the pharmacological and device treatments for heart failure are highly effective. Under the guidance of a doctor, standardized pharmacological treatment can often effectively improve the symptoms of chronic heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Treatment methods for chronic heart failure

The treatment of heart failure mainly includes the following points. The first major category is etiological treatment, where we should actively manage all common diseases that may impair cardiac function, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. The second category is to eliminate the factors that lead to heart failure, such as infections, especially respiratory infections. The third major category is for patients to pay attention to rest, control physical activity, avoid emotional excitement, and control sodium intake to reduce blood volume. The fourth category is drug therapy, which commonly includes the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, positive inotropic drugs, and β-blockers in clinical practice. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)