Framingham Criteria for Heart Failure
Framingham Heart Study clinical criteria for the diagnosis of heart failure. Requires 2 major OR 1 major + 2 minor criteria for diagnosis. Remains widely used in clinical practice and research.
Score interpretation
→ Framingham criteria met: ≥2 major criteria — Heart failure diagnosed. Echocardiogram urgently to assess EF; BNP/NT-proBNP; CXR; ECG; U&E/creatinine; initiate diuretic therapy; cardiology review; consider ARNI/SGLT2i if HFrEF.
→ Framingham criteria met: 1 major + ≥2 minor criteria — Heart failure diagnosed. Initiate HF management; echocardiogram; BNP; CXR; diuretics; RAAS inhibitor/beta-blocker if HFrEF; loop diuretic for congestion.
→ Framingham criteria not met. Heart failure diagnosis not confirmed by these criteria. Consider BNP/NT-proBNP and echocardiogram to exclude; investigate for alternative causes of breathlessness.
Interpretation bands for the Framingham HF Criteria. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.