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Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure

When symptoms suggest congestive heart failure, the diagnosis usually is confirmed by physical examination, patient history, and various tests to detect abnormal function of the left ventricle and/or heart valves.

During physical examination, the physician looks for an underlying cause and assesses heart function. A stethoscope is used to detect abnormal heart sounds (murmurs) that may indicate a leaky or narrowed (stenotic) valve, and to detect flui...Read the full article