Heart failure is a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a diagnosis. While it can be treated acutely with vasodilators (GTN, Lasix, Morphine) we need to look for the root cause of the heart failure.
The mnemonic MAD HATTER can help you remember the causes of heart failure:
- M – Myocardial infarction
- A – Arrhythmias
- D – Drugs
- H – Hypertension
- A – Anemia
- T – Temperature (Sepsis)
- T – Toxic substances (alcohol, drugs)
- E – Emboli (i.e. Pulmonary Embolus)
- R – Renal and Endocrine