Congestive Heart Failure
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is when the heart can’t keep up with its workload to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. If the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood, it can’t supply the cells with enough blood. This results in fatigue and shortness of breath that impacts common activities such as walking, climbing stairs, exercise or household chores.
While heart failure is a serious condition that typically cannot be cured, it can be managed with proper heart failure medications and healthy lifestyle changes. Thanks to new treatment options, many people with heart failure are able to lead a full, enjoyable life.
Inpatient Congestive Heart Failure Care at Vista
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is one of the highest admission categories at Vista Medical Center East. Vista’s highly trained cardiac nurses and board-certified cardiologists educate patients on better self management at home and to optimize their quality of life. Patients learn more about CHF, what causes it, and what they can do at home to control it.
Key topics include:
- blood pressure control
- daily weight measurements
- assessments of symptoms
- fluid control
- low sodium/cholesterol diet
- activity
- medications
- smoking cessation, and more.
A key emphasis is placed on when patients should call their doctor so they don’t wait for symptoms to worsen and require readmission. Vista follows guidelines set by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association for heart failure. Patients receive an educational information along with a discharge summary to reinforce the importance of seeing their physician and following prescribed medications.
If you suspect you may have Congestive Heart Failure, contact your Primary Care Physician to discuss if a referral to a Cardiologist is right for you. Schedule an appointment online at VistaAnytime.com.
For More Information
Call 847-360-4239
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