Treating Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) or heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body's other organs. The "failing" heart keeps working, but not as efficiently as it should. Persons with heart failure become short of breath and tired. They also experience swelling in the legs and ankles, and often experience weight gain as fluid builds up in the body.
Heart failure is the most common reason for hospitalization among persons 65 and older. Heart failure remains the fastest growing heart problem in the United States. About 5 million Americans suffer from the disease.
At Sacred Heart Hospital, we are committed to providing high quality care to help heart failure patients remain healthy. Most people with mild and moderate CHF can be treated with a regimen that includes rest, modified daily activities, proper diet, and various medications.
The quality of our program has been recognized by HealthGrades, an independent ratings organizatio. Sacred Heart achieved a Five-Star Rating from HealthGrades for treatment of heart failure for two straight years (2009, 2010).
Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola provides a Heart Failure Clinic - a specialized unit that works with a team of healthcare professionals from many disciplines. Together, they strive to improve the quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Many people with heart failure are not aware of their condition because they often attribute some of the most common symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, to getting older. Once these patients are diagnosed with heart failure, the team in our Heart Failure Clinic works to help them understand their condition and their individual needs. A treatment plan is designed to address all aspects of the patient's healthcare needs, including diet, an exercise program, medication, and personal support systems.
Patients with severe heart failure can benefit from Sacred Heart's outpatient Heart Failure Clinic that provides intravenous medicines for heart failure and closer monitoring by hospital staff.
In addition, our Heart and Vascular Institute has board certified cardiac electrophysiologists who are trained in the latest procedures to treat chronic heart failure.