Close to 6 million people in the United States are affected by heart failure; those with the condition have a heart that either does not squeeze efficiently or is stiff and unable to adequately fill with blood. Common symptoms, whichever the case, include fatigue, shortness of breath, and activity intolerance. Heart failure accounts for 15 million office visits a year, one million hospitalizations, and most common discharge diagnosis for patients over 65 years of age.
Because of the immense impact heart failure has on the healthcare system and the local community, the Heart & Vascular Institute of Florida has chosen to focus its energy on the disease.
Understanding Heart Failure
In order to understand your treatment plan, you must first understand what happens when you have heart failure.
Diagnostic Tests
To determine a treatment plan that fits your needs, your healthcare providers will need to do various tests that will assess the degree and nature of your specific case of heart failure.
Treatment
Your personal treatment depends on a range of factors, including your state of health, the severity of your condition, and what’s causing your heart to fail.
Lifestyle Management
You’ll need to alter your lifestyle to one that minimizes the stress experienced by your heart, improving its ability to do its job.
Accepting Your Diagnosis
In order to take care of yourself, you’ll need to understand and accept your feelings regarding your condition. Heart failure is life-changing, and it takes time to get used to.
Diagnostic Tests
- 3D Echo
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac CT
- Cardiac MRI
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG)
- Electrophysiology Study
- Stress Testing
Treatment Procedures
- Angioplasty (PTCA, PCI)
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Heart Transplant Surgery
- Heart Valve Repair / Replacement
- Pacemakers and ICDs
- Septal Ablation
- Ventricular Assist Devices
- Aortic Valve Repair / Replacement
- Mitral Valve Repair / Replacement
