Management of chronic heart failure
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
In the UK it is estimated that around 2.3 million people have coronary heart disease; 500,000 of this population will have heart failure. A clinical diagnosis can be challenging as there is no symptom or sign that is both sensitive and specific to indicate heart failure. Basic early investigations are necessary to differentiate heart failure from other conditions and to provide prognostic information.
This Guidelines summary provides recommendations on diagnosis, lifestyle, and pharmacological interventions, and includes a useful diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected chronic heart failure.