Heart Failure
Did you know that heart failure afflicts over 5 million Americans? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately half of those affected will die within five years of being diagnosed. To help patients manage this serious condition and prevent further life-threatening issues related to it, the LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute is proud to offer Heart Failure Services
Our heart health experts work together to diagnose, treat and educate patients and families about heart failure. We work in collaboration with your heart doctor and primary care provider to provide the support and care you need to make a full recovery. Through comprehensive treatment, cutting-edge technology and a wide range of support services, we help our patients regain the strength and confidence they need to lead normal, healthy lives.
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, resulting in inadequate blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys and lungs.
There are two types of heart failure: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In the case of someone with HFrEF, the heart muscle is too weak to adequately pump out blood. With HFpEF, the heart muscle is too stiff to fill with blood properly. Treatment of heart failure depends largely on the underlying cause.
Risk Factors
- Hypertension
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Valvular Disease
- Cardiomyopathy
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Lower leg or feet swelling
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Weight gain
Diagnosis and Tests
If your physician suspects that you have heart failure, he or she may order the following tests to evaluate and monitor your condition:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest x-ray
- Echocardiogram
- Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood test
- Stress test
- Cardiac catheterization
Treatments
- Low-salt diet
- Regular exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Reduced alcohol intake
- Healthy weight maintence
- Maximizing medications
- Rhythm management
- Cardiac stents
- Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery
LOCATIONS
Heart Care Services
Why should I go to the Heart Failure Clinic?
We will help you manage your heart failure and improve the quality of your life. We offer post-hospital discharge, routine follow-up and emergency appointments as necessary. Our goal is to help you live a longer, healthier life and reduce the number of visits to the hospital.
Who staffs the Heart Failure Clinic?
Our staff consists of a Medical Director/board certified Cardiologist, Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistant and Administrative Assistant. Our staff will work closely with you to make sure that your physicians are updated on your progress.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Prescription bottles for all medications you are currently taking and weight and blood pressure recordings.
What can I expect at my appointment?
You should have a follow-up appointment within one week of discharge from the hospital. At this appointment, our staff will:
- Review and adjust your medications
- Listen to your concerns
- Assess your current health using state-of-the-art equipment
- Receive additional heart failure education
- Address any concerns you may have
- If needed, help you find additional services and resources
What other services do you offer?
- Provide information about your medications and how they work to help your heart failure
- Teach you how to manage your heart failure and control your symptoms
- Make recommendations to your current treatment plan, based on the most recent research and guidelines for heart failure
- Partner with your primary care physician, cardiologist and other providers to carefully adjust your medications to help you feel better, live longer and improve your heart function and quality of life
- Treat and monitor acute heart failure symptoms with intravenous diuretic medications, if necessary, to remove extra fluid to potentially avoid hospitalization