New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification
Date: Thursday, June 10 @ 22:13:00 IST
Topic: Medicine


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The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification provides a simple way of classifying the extent of heart failure. It places patients in one of four categories based on how much they are limited during physical activity:

I No symptoms and no limitation in ordinary physical activity.

II Mild symptoms and slight limitation during ordinary activity.
Comfortable at rest.

III Marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less-than-ordinary activity.
Comfortable only at rest.

IV Severe limitations. Experiences symptoms even while at rest.


Deatils of NYHA classification

Class I (Mild)
No limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea (shortness of breath).

Class II (Mild)
Slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.

Class III (Moderate)
Marked limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.

Class IV (Severe)
Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of cardiac insufficiency at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort is increased.



Multiple Choice Test



1) A 25-year-old male presents with giddiness, headache, intermittent claudication of limbs and minimal dyspnoea. Most likely diagnosis is: (AI 99)

One answer only.
   Coarctation of aorta
   Patent ductus arteriosus
   Atrial septal defect
   Transposition of great vessels





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