Acute heart failure is a common and severe condition in Danish emergency hospitals. Hypertensive pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock and congestive heart failure are the most common phenotypes. The aim of this review is to summarise the most recent international guidelines for acute triage and treatment of acute heart failure. Afterload is reduced with nitrates, congestion is treated with intravenous loop-diuretics, and in selected patients, cardiac output could be increased by inotropic drugs or mechanical support devices.