CAUSES OF CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE - PROMPT DIAGNOSIS MAY AFFECT PROGNOSIS

Dyspnea on exertion is a well-recognized symptom of congestive heart f ailure (CHF) but is nonspecific in that it can also result from pulmon ary diseases, obesity, anxiety, and other conditions. Physical examina tion findings can be similarly nonspecific in cases of CHF. However, e stablishing the diagnosis as either systolic or diastolic heart failur e and determining the underlying cause are important, since treatment can reverse the disease in some cases. The authors describe the condit ions that lead to this progressive disease and summarize cost-effectiv e patient evaluation.