The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/0yQ_Be-xU6o   This video makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE.   My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode, I go through the NICE guideline [NG106] on Chronic Heart Failure in adults, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement.     There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here:   Primary Care guidelines podcast:   ·      Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines ·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK ·      Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here:  The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk     The resources consulted can be found here: Chronic Heart Failure in adults: diagnosis and management - NICE guideline [NG106]:   ·      https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106   The visual summary for the diagnosis of chronic heart failure can be found here: ·      https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/resources/chronic-heart-failure-diagnosis-visual-summary-pdf-6663137726   The visual summary for the management of chronic heart failure can be found here: ·      https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/resources/chronic-heart-failure-management-visual-summary-pdf-6663137725   Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release]  Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through   Transcript If you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description. Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to do a quick up-to-date review of the NICE guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure in adults, including the visual summary flowcharts, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only.   Right, so let’s jump into it. And we start with the diagnosis. We will take a detailed history and examination and, we will consider the following investigations to exclude other potential conditions: ·      an ECG ·      a chest X-ray ·      blood tests including FBC, renal, liver and thyroid function tests, a lipid profile and HbA1c ·      urinalysis and ·      peak flow or spirometry. And, if we suspect heart failure, we will measure the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, which from now on we will refer to as NT‑proBNP High levels of NT‑proBNP carry a poor prognosis. For this reason: ·      If the levels are very high, i.e. above 2,000 ng/litre or 236 pmol/litre, we will refer them urgently to have specialist assessment and a transthoracic echocardiogram within 2 weeks. ·      However, if the levels are only moderately high, that is, between 400 and 2,000 ng/litre or 47 to 236 pmol/litre, we will refer them also urgently but to be seen within 6 weeks. We also need to be aware that: ·      an NT‑proBNP level less than 400 ng/litre or 47 pmol/litre in an untreated person makes heart failure less likely so we should consider alternative causes and refer if in doub