How do you diagnose congestive cardiomyopathy?
Diagnosis of congestive cardiomyopathy is based on: • symptoms • medical history • physical examination • chest x ray • electrocardiogram (ECG; also called EKG) • echocardiogram • cardiac catheterization The diagnosis is based on the patient’s symptoms, a complete physical examination, and tests that detect abnormalities of the heart chambers. The physician listens to the heart with a stethoscope to detect abnormal heart rhythms and heart sounds. A heart murmur might mean that the heart valves are not closing properly due to the ventricles being enlarged. A chest x ray can show if the heart is enlarged and if there is fluid in the lungs. Abnormalities of heart valves and other structures may also be seen on a chest x ray. An electrocardiogram provides a record of electrical changes in the heart muscle during the heartbeat. It gives information on the heart rhythm and can show if the heart chamber is enlarged. An ECG can detect damage to the heart muscle and the amount of damage. Echoca
