Congestive Heart Failure

Testing

A combination of laboratory and non-laboratory tests may be used to diagnose the condition. Non-laboratory tests may include a physical exam and medical history, echocardiogram, chest x-ray, and any of several nuclear or CT scans. Laboratory tests that may be ordered include:

• a metabolic panel to check for electrolyte balance or kidney failure (since symptoms of kidney disease are similar to those of CHF);
• a CBC, to check for anemia, which can cause similar symptoms to CHF as well as contribute to CHF;
• brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP, tests that measure production of a hormone found in the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber of the heart) to help diagnose and grade the severity of the heart failure.