In order to determine the best course of of therapy, physicians often assess the stage of heart failure according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system.
This system relates symptoms to everyday activities and the patient's quality of life.
| Classification | Symptoms |
| NYHA I | No symptoms and no limitation in normal physical activity |
| NYHA II |
Mild symptoms and slight limitation during ordinary activity. Comfortable at rest. |
| NYHA III | Marked limitation in activity due to symptoms even during less than ordinary activity. Comfortable only at rest. |
| NYHA IV | Severe limitations. Experiences symptoms even when at rest |
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