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Your doctor will determine if you have heart failure by doing a detailed medical history, a physical examination, and several tests. The purpose of these is to:
- Identify the presence of diseases and conditions that can cause heart failure
- Rule out other causes of your symptoms
- Determine the amount of damage to and the pumping capability of your heart.
Medical and Family History
Your doctor will ask if you or others in your family have or have had any of the diseases and conditions that can cause heart failure. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms. This includes the types of symptoms, when they occur, how long you have had them, and their severity. The answers will help your doctor determine the limits on your ability to perform daily activities.
Physical Examination
Your doctor will:
- Listen to your heart for abnormal sounds
- Listen to your lungs for the buildup of fluid
- Look for swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, and abdomen
- Look for swelling in the veins in the neck.
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