Heart Failure Care
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a condition that occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Unlike a heart attack, which is an acute event, heart failure is a chronic condition that affects people for the rest of their lives.
Heart care specialists at Physicians Regional Healthcare System utilize imaging technology and other diagnostic tools to determine the cause and extent of patients’ heart failure. Providers at both our Collier Blvd and Pine Ridge locations specialize in heart failure care, offering a management program that may include:
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Medical management - Medications are used to reduce high blood pressure, eliminate excess water (which can cause swelling), prevent clotting, slow the heart rate and alter hormones that affect the heart. Your cardiologist at Physicians Regional may develop a unique heart failure management program just for you that combines medication with lifestyle changes.
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Risk-factor management - Lifestyle changes are key in managing chronic heart failure. Weight loss, dietary changes, blood pressure control and abstaining from alcohol and smoking are typically top priorities. Also, getting sufficient rest may improve your heart’s health, while also preventing further damage.
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Minimally invasive care - Outpatient procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement may be used to open blocked arteries and restore healthy blood flow.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
The symptoms of CHF can start suddenly. Not all instances of heart failure are considered “congestive heart failure,” but the two are often linked, especially as the disease progresses. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be time to see a cardiologist near you:
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Shortness of breath (dyspnea) even when lying down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty exercising
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
- Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
- Lack of appetite or nausea
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus
- Chest pain (if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack)
Am I At Risk for Being Diagnosed with Heart Failure?
Heart failure is caused either when the heart is put into a weakened state by a preexisting condition; it can also occur if the muscles in the heart become stiff. Risk factors for being diagnosed with heart failure or CHF include:
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High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Diabetes
- Some diabetes medications (and other medications)
- Sleep apnea
- Congenital heart defects
- Valvular heart disease
- Viruses
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco use
- Obesity
- Irregular heartbeat
CHF Treatment Near You
Cardiologists with Physicians Regional use special technologies to deliver heart failure treatment. If you have any of the symptoms of heart failure (or have been diagnosed with CHF), you can find a cardiologist near you by contacting one of our two locations in the Naples area. You can also find a provider online.
Call (239) 354-6000 | Collier Blvd
Call (239) 348-4000 | Pine Ridge