Framingham Heart Failure Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnoses clinical heart failure. Requires 2 major OR 1 major + 2 minor criteria.
Score interpretation
Framingham criteria met: 2 or more major criteria.
→ Echocardiogram to assess EF; BNP/NT-proBNP; CXR; ECG; U&E; treat congestion; cardiology review.
Framingham criteria met: 1 major + 2 or more minor criteria.
→ Initiate heart failure work-up and management: echocardiogram, BNP/NT-proBNP, CXR; diuretic for congestion.
Framingham criteria not met (minor criteria count only if not attributable to another condition).
→ Consider BNP/NT-proBNP and echocardiography; investigate alternative causes of breathlessness or oedema.
Interpretation bands for the Framingham HF. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- McKee PA et al. The natural history of congestive heart failure: the Framingham study. N Engl J Med. 1971;285(26):1441-1446.
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.
