How Does The Physical Examination Help Diagnose CHF?

During the examination, the physician looks for an underlying cause and assesses heart function. The doctor will listen closely to the patient’s heart and lungs, ex-amine the abdomen, and assess blood flow to the arms and legs. The doctor uses a stethoscope to detect abnormal heart sounds (also called murmurs) that may indicate a leaky or narrowed valve and to detect fluid accumulation in the lungs. The physician also looks for bulging (distended) veins in the neck, an enlarged liver, and for swelling (edema) in the arms, legs, and abdomen. These signs along with a history of heart dis-ease strongly suggest heart failure.

Based upon the results of the exam, the doctor may order tests to further evaluate cardiac performance and determine the cause of any problems.