Key Terms
A clinical syndrome where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet body needs
What is heart failure
Older adults may present with this instead of classic dyspnea
What is confusion
Noninvasive test showing heart structure and ejection fraction
What is an echocardiogram?
One of the earliest symptoms of left-sided HF
What is dyspnea on exertion?
This medication class reduces fluid overload
What are diuretics?
Heart failure caused by impaired ventricular contraction
What is systolic heart failure?
Age-related change that increases cardiac workload due to stiff vessels
What is decreased vascular compliance?
Blood test elevated in heart failure diagnosis
What is BNP?
Crackling lung sounds due to fluid accumulation
What are pulmonary crackles?
These drugs decrease workload and improve survival.
What are ACE inhibitors?
Heart failure caused by impaired ventricular relaxation and filling
What is diastolic heart failure?
This increases in older adults and complicates HF management
What is polypharmacy?
Test that records electrical activity of the heart
What is an ECG/EKG?
Swelling of lower extremities
What is peripheral edema?
This lifestyle change helps reduce exacerbations.
What is sodium restriction?
Hormone released when ventricles are stretched and overloaded
What is B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
Common chronic condition contributing to HF in elderly patients
What is hypertension?
Imaging that detects pulmonary congestion and cardiomegaly
What is a chest X-ray?
Difficulty breathing when lying flat
What is orthopnea?
This device helps synchronize heart contractions.
What is a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device?
The backup of blood leading to fluid accumulation
What is congestion?
Aging kidneys lead to decreased ability to manage this
What is fluid balance?
Invasive procedure measuring intracardiac pressures
What is cardiac catheterization?
Sudden nighttime shortness of breath
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)?
This advanced treatment is considered end-stage therapy.
What is a heart transplant (or LVAD)?