What tests should be performed to diagnose heart failure?
To diagnose heart failure, a transthoracic echocardiography should be performed on high-resolution equipment, by experienced operators trained to the relevant professional standards. Additionally, an ECG and various blood tests should be performed, such as a renal function profile, thyroid function profile, liver function profile, lipid profile, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), full blood count, urinalysis, peak flow or spirometry. Alternative methods of imaging the heart, such as radionuclide angiography, cardiac MRI, or transoesophageal echocardiography, should also be considered if a poor image is produced by transthoracic echocardiography. Other disorders that may present in a similar manner should also be excluded. Finally, when a diagnosis of heart failure has been made, severity, aetiology, precipitating factors, type of cardiac dysfunction and correctable causes should be assessed.