Diagnosis and outpatient management of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity67 @entity712 @entity460
@entity712 causes substantial @entity1 morbidity and mortality in the United States. Symptoms and physical findings can be helpful in diagnosis but have limited sensitivity and specificity. Objective measurement of ventricular function is essential in virtually all @entity1 in whom a diagnosis of @entity712 is suspected. Reversible causes of @entity712 must be sought. Outpatient management includes education and counseling, emphasis on and assessment of compliance with diet, and pharmacologic treatment. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment but are underused, and maximal doses are not given apparently because of concern about side effects. Diuretic therapy should be administered only as needed to manage fluid overload. @entity460 channel blockers are relatively contraindicated in @entity1 with @entity67 . @entity1 follow-up should be guided by the results of the medical history and physical examination. Routine serial testing of ventricular function and exercise performance is discouraged.
