Risk Factors Associated with Decompensated Heart Failure

Has the patient had an excessive intake of salt and/or water?

Has the patient been noncompliant with medications?

Has a heart failure medication been discontinued or had its dose reduced?

Has the patient received a blood transfusion or an IV fluid infusion?

Has the patient had a recent myocardial infarct or ischemic episode?

Does the patient have valvular heart failure?

Does the patient have a cardiac arrhythmia (bradyarrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmia)?

Does the patient abuse alcohol?

Is the patient unaware or ignorant about the heart failure?

Has the patient delayed coming for health care after the onset of symptoms?

Has the patient been exposed to a cardiotoxin?

Has the patient had progression of a cardiomyopathy?

Does the patient have a lack of social support?

• fever, infection, pneumonia, and/or sepsis?

• uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension?

• hyper- or hypothyroidism?

• anemia?

• renal insufficiency?

• thiamine or other nutritional deficiency?

• acute hypoxemia due to worsening of COPD, asthma or progression of lung disease?

• pulmonary embolism?

• uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus?

• fluid or salt retention due to SIADH or other endocrine condition?

• NSAIDS?

• corticosteroids?

• a drug with a negative inotropic effect (calcium channel blocker, other)?