Unfortunately, there isn't a single, specific test that can conclusively determine if a patient has heart failure. Because the symptoms are common to other conditions as well, the provider will usually perform a series of tests in order to arrive at a diagnosis.

Initially, a provider will conduct a detailed medical history and physical examination. This will help to determine if the patient has any diseases or conditions that can cause heart failure, and to rule out any other potential causes for the patient's symptoms. This history will also allow the provider to determine what risk factors are present.

During a physical exam, a provider will usually listen to the patient's heart for any abnormal sounds, and check the lungs for the buildup of fluid. The provider will also examine the patient's ankles, feet, legs, and abdomen to see if any swelling is present. The veins in the neck may also be checked for enlargement.

If it's suspected that the patient is showing signs of heart failure, the provider may then order additional tests. One of the most useful tools for diagnosing heart failure is an echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart. It shows how well the heart is filling with blood and pumping it to the rest of the body. It can also show the areas of the heart muscle that are not contracting normally. Providers use this test to determine the areas of the heart that are damaged and causing it to not work properly. This is very important because more than one area of the heart can be damaged and contribute to heart failure.

Other tests that can help determine the amount and location of heart damage include an electrocardiogram, often referred to as an EKG or an ECG. An EKG can help the provider gauge the rate and regularity of the patient's heart beat, and can also indicate if the patient has thickening of the walls of the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body.

A chest x-ray may also be ordered. A chest x-ray takes a picture of the heart and lungs and can show if the heart is enlarged, if there is fluid in the lungs, or if lung disease is present.

If the provider suspects the presence of heart failure after completing the history, physical exam, and initial tests, the patient may then be referred to a cardiologist. A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. In most case, the cardiologist will do a physical exam and order additional tests, such as an exercise stress test, a cardiac blood pool scan, a test of thyroid function, or a cardiac catheterization and angiogram.

Each of these tests will help the cardiologist determine the extent of the heart failure, and to develop an appropriate treatment program.