Screening

Screening for Heart Failure

by Michelle Badash, MS

The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Screening Tests or Guidelines

There are no current guidelines for routine screening for heart failure in the absence of symptoms.

You may be recommended for an echocardiogram if you are considered at high risk for developing heart failure. High risk includes:

Strong family history of cardiomyopathy
Long-term high blood pressure
Previous heart attack
Use of medicines that are toxic to the heart, such as chemotherapy for cancer

References

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Accessed September 15, 2020.

McMurray JJ, Ostergren J, et al. Effects of candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left-ventricular systolic function taking angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors: the CHARM-Added trial. Lancet. 2003;3629386):767-771.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Last Updated: 11/10/2020

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