How are microvascular dysfunction and HFpEF diagnosed?
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is diagnosed through several tests that evaluate how well your heart is pumping:
* Echocardiogram - Takes images of your heart to see how it's working and measures ejection fraction
* Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) - Show Full Answer
How are microvascular dysfunction and HFpEF diagnosed?
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is diagnosed through several tests that evaluate how well your heart is pumping:
* Echocardiogram - Takes images of your heart to see how it's working and measures ejection fraction
* Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) - Measures your heart's electrical activity
* Blood tests - Check levels of substances like sodium and potassium
* Stress test - Measures your heart's response to exercise
* Cardiac catheterization - A small tube is inserted into a blood vessel to look for blockages
With HFpEF, the heart muscle can contract normally, but the ventricles become thicker and stiffer than they should be. They don't relax properly, so they don't fill with blood as they should. This results in less blood being pumped out even though the ejection fraction appears preserved (typically above 50%).
What about treatment?
Treatment for HFpEF can be challenging. Medications that work well for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction haven't shown the same clear benefits in HFpEF. In practice, doctors often prescribe similar medications, though the scientific evidence is less definitive.
Treatment options depend on what's causing your heart failure, so it's important to discuss your specific situation with your cardiologist to develop the best plan for you.
February 22
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