The clinical recognition of congestive heart failure

The recognition of early or mild congestive heart failure in the ambulatory patient is a common clinical challenge in everyday practice. Early diagnosis requires attention to symptoms, signs, and radiographic changes which may be minimal. This paper reviews basic pathophysiological principles involved in congestive heart failure and summarizes etiological factors which may cause or precipitate congestive heart failure. The symptoms, signs, and subtle radiological findings of early congestive heart failure are also described in some detail.