Diagnosis is the first step in the
treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF).
 Diagnosis of heart failure is based
on findings from the three pillars: history, physical
examination, and chest
x-ray. In
addition, a complete evaluation of the patient requires
laboratory tests, electrocardiography, and
echocardiography. Although heart failure often presents
classically in the elderly, it is quite common for heart
failure in the elderly to present atypically. In fact, atypical
presentation of
heart failure, as well as many other conditions, is a
characteristic feature of geriatric medicine.
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