These patients tend to be very VOLUME SENSITIVE. Daily weight checks – get an accurate bathroom scale. No medications have proven mortality benefit. Treat causes Hypertension – lower the patient’s blood pressure Tachycardia – AV nodal blockade depending on etiology. Bibliography ACP MKSAP 17: Cardiovascular Medicine, pp. 32-34 Image credit (follow link)
Pathophysiology In an average healthy person, normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF): >50% Roughly 50% of those with heart failure have reduced left ventricular (LV) function (HFrEF) Heart cannot squeeze/contract properly, and then progressively dilates. The other 50% have preserved (normal contraction) LV function (HFpEF) Cannot relax properly, leading to high diastolic (filling) pressures. New heart failure …
