It’s used to diagnose heart failure (HF) based on a combination of major and minor criteria.
Major criteria-
1. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
2. Neck vein distention
3. Pulmonary rales (crackles in the lungs)
4. Radiographic cardiomegaly (heart enlargement on X-ray)
5. Acute pulmonary edema
6. S3 gallop (third heart sound)
7. Hepatojugular reflux
8. Weight loss >4.5 kg in 5 days in response to treatment
Minor criteria-
1. Bilateral ankle edema
2. Nocturnal cough
3. Dyspnea on ordinary exertion
4. Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
5. Pleural effusion
6. Tachycardia (heart rate >120 beats per minute)
For a diagnosis of heart failure, at least
1. Two major criteria
2. One major criterion + Two minor criteria
must be present.