š Classification of heart failure: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
š Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of heart failure, including new heart failure medicine.
š©ŗ Importance of patient education in improving outcomes and the role of left and right-sided heart failure in congestive heart failure.
š” Right-sided heart failure is often neglected compared to left-sided heart failure.
š©ø There are three main causes of right-sided heart failure: volume overload, pressure overload, and disease.
š Pulmonary hypertension is a common complication of respiratory conditions and can lead to right ventricular failure.
š” Shortness of breath and reduced exercise tolerance are red flags for heart failure.
š©ø Clinical signs of right-sided heart failure include raised jugular venous pressure, peripheral edema, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
š©ŗ Assessing the jugular venous pressure and conducting a physical examination are important clinical skills for diagnosing heart failure.
š In diagnosing heart failure, it is important to determine the underlying cause through tests and investigations such as blood tests, ECG, angiogram, and echocardiogram.
š BNP blood test is specific for heart failure and can be used to rule out the condition. A normal BNP level indicates no heart failure.
š Echocardiogram is a valuable non-invasive tool to diagnose and assess heart failure, but its availability is limited due to high demand.
šø Echo cardiologists prioritize echo requests based on specific criteria.
š Ejection fraction is used to assess pump function in the heart, with 60-80% considered normal.
š Echo imaging helps identify heart failure, enlargement of the ventricles, and potential causes such as valve abnormalities.
š©ŗ In congestive heart failure, management involves balancing heart rate, afterload, and contractility.
š Treatment options for congestive heart failure include CPAP for pulmonary edema, diuretics to reduce fluid, ACE inhibitors to reduce sodium production, and beta blockers to control heart rate.
š„ In a hospital setting, inotropic medicines can improve contractility, and balloon pump technology can be used in acute left ventricular failure.
š Monitoring weight is crucial in managing congestive heart failure.
š Medications and lifestyle changes can help improve heart function.
š©ŗ Shortness of breath is a key symptom of heart failure in elderly patients.