Why is this important?

The proper treatment for heart failure depends on what area of your heart is affected. An important test is to check how your heart is pumping, called “the left ventricular function assessment.” It can tell your health care provider whether the left side of your heart is pumping properly. Other ways to check on how your heart is pumping include:

• your medical history
• a physical examination
• listening to your heart sounds
• other tests as ordered by a physician (like an ECG (electrocardiogram), chest x-ray, blood work, and an echocardiogram)

Higher percentages are better.

Information about Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure is a progressive cardiac illness in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the body's needs. You also might hear it referred to as chronic heart failure or simply heart failure.
The American Heart Association (AHA) says CHF is often the result of cardiovascular disease that has weakened the heart over a period of time. AHA estimates there are over half a million new cases each year. The annual number of deaths directly from CHF is increasing too, and it's the most common diagnosis in hospital patients age 65 years and older.

There are things people can do to decrease their chances of having CHF in their later years. The early detection and aggressive treatment of high blood pressure and heart attack… the two leading causes of CHF... are essential.
Symptoms of heart failure may include

• shortness of breath from fluid in the lungs
• swelling (such as in legs, ankles or abdomen)
• dizziness
• fatigue
• weakness
• cold or clammy skin
• a rapid or irregular heartbeat.