Part I

• What is congestive heart failure?
• Is CHF common?
• Is CHF serious?
• Are all CHF patients the same?
• Is CHF different for different ethnic groups?
• How quickly does heart failure develop?
• Is there a cure for heart failure?
• What causes heart failure?
• What is the difference between left-sided heart failure and right-sided heart failure?
• When discussing my heart failure, I’ve heard my doctor mention the terms “systolic” and “diastolic” dysfunction.  What are they? 
• What is the "ejection fraction?"
• What type of doctor should  I see for my heart failure?

Part II

• How is CHF diagnosed?
• How does a patient's medical history help to diagnose CHF?
• How does the physical examination help to diagnose CHF?
• What do blood tests tell the physician?
• How does the B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) blood test help to diagnose CHF?
• How is a chest X-ray helpful?
• What does the Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) tell the doctor about CHF?
• What is an Echocardiogram?
• What is a stress test?
• What is a Cardiac catheterization?
• What is a Radionuclide ventriculography?
• What is contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging?

Part III

• What is an “exacerbation” of CHF?
• How do I know if my CHF is getting worse?
•   What is Respiratory Distress?
• What is Respiratory failure?
• If I’m having trouble breathing, do I need to wait for my doctor to return my call, or can I start treatment myself?
• What is a “CHF action plan?”
• Are there things I shouldn’t do when my CHF gets worse?
• How is a CHF exacerbation treated? 
• What is CPAP?
• What is endotracheal intubation?
• What is a ventilator? 
• How do I Prevent CHF exacerbations?
• How do I make sure I’m treated according to my wishes, even if I can’t speak?
• Why should I have an advanced directive?

Part IV

Non-surgical Treatment

• What are the usual medications that doctors prescribe for CHF patients?
• What are diuretics? 
• What are the Side Effects of diuretics?e 
• What are ACE inhibitors?
• Side effects of ACE Inhibitors
• I’ve heard the term ARBs when talking about medicine for CHF.  What are ARBS?
• What are Nitrates, and how are they used in CHF patients?
• What is Hydralazine?
• What kind of medication is BIDIL? 
• What are Beta Blockers?
• I’ve heard there are new kinds of beta blockers available, are they helpful in CHF?
• What is Digitalis? 
• What are the Side Effects of Digitalis?
• What are blood thinners?   (anticoagulants)
• What are the side effects of blood thinners?
• What are some other drugs that are used to treat CHF?

Surgical Treatment

• Are pacemakers used to treat Heart Failure?
• What are Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)? 
• What are some Mechanical Devices that are used to Improve Pumping Actions?
• What is an Intra-aortic Balloon Pump?
• What is a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)?
• What is an Implantable Artificial Heart?
• How are Angioplasty and Coronary Bypass Surgery used to treat CHF?
• How does heart Valve Surgery improve CHF?
• What are Ventricular Remodeling Procedures?
• What is a Partial left ventriculectomy? 
• What is a Surgical Anterior Ventricular Endocardial Restoration? 
• What is a Dynamic Cardiomyoplasty? 
• What is a Heart Transplantation?
• What is Myocardial Replacement therapy? 

Alternative Treatments

• Is alternative or complementary medicine helpful in CHF?
• What are some alternative medicine treatments for CHF? 

Part V

• Is Cardiac Rehabilitation helpful for patients with CHF?
• What is cardiac rehabilitation?
• What are the goals of a cardiac rehabilitation program?
• What are the components of a cardiac rehabilitation program? 
• What does a cardiac rehabilitation program accomplish?
• How long does the rehabilitation last?
• What to say to your doctor about Cardiac Rehab?
• What happens after I finish the rehabilitation program? 

Part VI

• What are the Heart Valves?
• How can problems with the heart valves cause heart failure?
• What is Heart Valve Regurgitation? 
• What is Heart Valve Stenosis?
• What causes valve disease?
• How is valve disease diagnosed?
• How is valve disease treated?
• Why do I have to tell my dentist if I have a problem with my heart valve?

Part VII

• My cardiologist says that I have an Arrhythmia.    What is that?
• I thought low blood pressure was a good thing?   Why is my doctor concerned about my low blood pressure? 
• What is Pulmonary Edema? 
• What is Sleep Apnea?
• I've heard that blood clots in the leg are common in patients with CHF?
• Is depression a problem in CHF? 

Part VIII

• What Can I do to improve my quality of life? 
• Is Exercise helpful for patients with Heart Failure?
• I’ve been smoking for 30 years and have already been diagnosed with CHF.  Isn’t the damage already done?  Do I have to quit smoking?
• How do I stop smoking?
• Why do I need a flu vaccine? 
• I got a flu vaccine last year, why do I need another one?
• What is the pneumococcal vaccine and why do I need it?  
• How do I make the most of my visit with my doctor?

Resources
Glossary