HEART FAILURE CLINIC
Heart failure is a very common condition. An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with heart failure, and 670,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Heart failure is also the leading cause of hospitalization in people over age 65. Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped pumping. Heart failure means the left ventricle (pumping chamber of the heart) is not pumping with enough force to send adequate blood supply to the rest of the body. This compromised pumping action is referred to as “systolic heart failure”. Another type of heart failure presents when the ventricles become stiff which affects their relaxing and filling capabilities. This type of heart failure is referred to as “diastolic heart failure”. Heart failure can affect the left and right sides of the heart.
The Heart Failure Clinic at St. Paul Heart Clinic works closely with patients, their primary physician and other clinical specialists to determine the cause and manage the complications of heart failure.
Signs and symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing with exercise, at rest or while lying flat in bed
- Fatigue and weakness during exercise or routine activities
- Coughing or wheezing
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs and abdomen associated with weight gain
- An increased need to urinate during the night
Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms
How is heart failure diagnosed?
Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure can help people live longer, more active lives. A physical examination will be performed and your medical history and risk factors will be reviewed. No one test determines if you have heart failure. Diagnostic testing appropriate for heart failure may include EKG, chest x-ray, BNP and various blood tests, echocardiography, nuclear imaging, cardiac MRI or angiography. Common contributing conditions for the development of heart failure include coronary heart disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and obesity. Frequently, heart failure occurs when several contributing conditions are present at once which can complicate hospitalizations and long term management.
How is heart failure treated?
Lifestyle changes, medications, ongoing self-care and follow-up appointments, medical procedures (cardiac resynchronization therapy, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, left ventricular assist device) and surgery all play a role in the management of heart failure.
At St. Paul Heart Clinic, the Heart Failure Clinic is comprised of a team of clinicians including cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nurse clinicians, as well as, our heart failure research staff. Patients are seen in consultation for the development of an optimal care plan, intensive education and coordinated follow-up between primary care providers and heart failure specialists. New patients referred to the Heart Failure Clinic will be seen by Alan Bank, M.D., Michael Garr, M.D., Thomas Johnson, M.D., Spencer Kubo, M.D., Benjamin McKinley, M.D. or Thomas Nobrega, M.D.
Learn more about Dr. Bank Heart Failure Education
Learn more about Dr. Garr Dr. Alan Bank explains HeartNet therapy for heart failure
Learn more about Dr. Johnson
Learn more about Dr. Kubo
Learn more about Dr. McKinley
Learn more about Dr. Nobrega
Learn more about Denise Carlson, NP
Learn more about Ann Hayden, NP
