Boston index for evaluating signs and symptoms of heart failure (SSHF)
| Category | Point |
| I: History from questionnaire or case record | |
| Rest dyspnoea, orthopnoea | 4 |
| Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea | 3 |
| Dyspnoea on walking on level | 2 |
| Dyspnoea on climbing | 1 |
| II: Physical examination from case record | |
| If heart rate > 91 to 110 beats/min | 1 |
| If heart rate >110 beats/min | 2 |
| Neck vein distension, hepatomegaly or leg oedema | 2 |
| Lung crackles | 2 |
| Wheezing | 3 |
| Third heart sound | 3 |
| III: Chest radiography from case record | |
| Alveolar pulmonary oedema | 4 |
| Interstitial pulmonary oedema | 3 |
| Bilateral pleural effusions | 3 |
| Cardiothoracic ratio > 0.49 | 2 |
| Upper zone flow redistribution | 1 |
Patients with suspected or definite heart disease were evaluated by this index if they had been treated or referred for heart failure. The sum within each category contributed at most four points to the composite score. SSHF was a composite score of ⩾ 5 points.