How to monitor and assess CHF
CHF means Congestive Heart Failure.
History collection:
- Consider the history of heart failure, risk factors for
congestive heart failure.
- Collects the history of orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea
Physical Examination:
- Monitor the vital signs. Baseline vital signs are important
including an apical pulse.
- Cardiovascular: Assess heart rhythm and strength of heart
beat
- Respiratory: Assess lung sounds for congestion, rales.
- Assess for increase in body weight
- Examine pitting edema
- Observe jugular venous pressure, jugular venous distension
Laboratory investigations
- Laboratory studies of CHF includes complete blood cell count.
The CBC aids in the assessment of severe anemia, which may cause or
aggravate heart failure.
- Serum electrolyte levels (calcium and magnesium).
- Renal and liver function studies.
- Echocardiogram (ECG): ECG measures the ejection fraction, an
important measurement of pumping of heart, which helps to classify
heart failure and guide treatment.