CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Heart failure - chronic - Management
What other diagnoses should I consider?
A number of conditions can present with symptoms and signs similar to those of heart failure. These conditions can be grouped according to whether their most prominent feature is shortness of breath or peripheral oedema.
- Conditions causing shortness of breath
- Chest disease (lung, diaphragm, or chest wall), for example:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Asthma.
- Pneumonia.
- Chronic pulmonary embolic disease.
- Cancer.
- Obesity.
- Volume overload from renal failure or nephrotic syndrome.
- Angina.
- Anxiety.
- Anaemia.
- Thyroid disease.
- Being unfit.
- Conditions causing peripheral oedema
- Dependent oedema that is not pathological, for example from prolonged inactivity.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Drugs (for example dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Hypoalbuminaemia (from renal or hepatic disease).
- Venous insufficiency.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement