How Will I Know if I Have Congestive Heart Failure?
A doctor can often tell from a physical exam that a person has CHF. They will see swelling in the legs and feet, and can hear fluid in the lungs with a stethoscope. Other tests may include:
1. Echocardiogram
2. Chest x-ray
3. Cardiac catheterization
4. Nuclear scans of the heart
5. Exercise stress test
6. Electrocardiogram (EKG)

How Will My Doctor Treat Me?
The best treatment is to prevent heart disease and heart failure. The treatment usually involves the following:
1. Rest
2. Reduction of salt in the diet
3. Water pills
4. Heart medicines
(like digoxin/lanoxin and medicines that dilate the blood vessels)

Managing Congestive Heart Failure
Learn as much as you can about reducing salt in your diet. Do not use salt. Try other seasonings, like pepper, garlic, or lemon. Read food labels and stay away from products that have high sodium contents. Ask a dietitian, your doctor or nurse for more information about sodium.

Enough rest is also important for people with heart failure. Plan for rest periods during the day. Space out your activities, such as bathing, shaving, eating and dressing. Slow down your pace when doing things that cause you to become tired. When you are tired or out of breath, stop and rest for 20 to 30 minutes.

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