Key result
Among elderly primary care patients with symptoms of dyspnoea, fatigue, or oedema, 48% showed abnormal systolic (26%) or diastolic (22%) function.
Population
415 elderly patients in Swedish primary health care presenting with symptoms of dyspnoea, fatigue and/or…
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
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Echocardiography may be warranted for symptomatic elderly in primary care; cross-sectional data leave open effects on management and outcomes.
Cross-Sectional (n=415)
Objective diagnostic tools like echocardiography and BNP are essential in primary care, as clinical symptoms alone often lead to misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment of heart failure in the elderly.
Alehagen et al. (2002) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure symptoms (n=415). Symptoms of dyspnoea, fatigue, and/or peripheral oedema was evaluated on Abnormal systolic or diastolic function. Among elderly primary care patients with symptoms of dyspnoea, fatigue, or oedema, 48% showed abnormal systolic (26%) or diastolic (22%) function.
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