Heart Failure Care
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Different from a heart attack, heart failure is a chronic, long-term condition that prevents the heart from functioning effectively.
Merit Health Central's heart care specialists utilize advanced diagnostic technology to determine the cause and extent of heart failure. Doctors and nurses who specialize in heart failure provide a management program that offers:
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Medical management - Medications are used to lower blood pressure, eliminate excess water, prevent clotting, slow heart rate or alter hormones that affect the heart. Our cardiologists can develop a program that combines medication and lifestyle changes to effectively manage heart failure.
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Risk-factor management - Lifestyle changes such as losing weight and eating more healthfully, controlling blood pressure, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, and getting enough rest can help improve heart health and prevent further damage.
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Minimally invasive cardiac catheterization techniques - Outpatient procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement are used to open blocked arteries.
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Surgery - Experienced cardiac surgeons utilize advanced technology to deliver heart failure treatment, including implantable devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
At Merit Health Central, our cardiovascular surgeon and staff provide a wide variety of cardiac surgeries to strengthen, repair and maintain hearts. We're committed to providing quality care for patients who need a helping hand with their heart health.
Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most accurate and least invasive ways for doctors to obtain images of the body’s soft tissue, such as organs and muscles. In the past, patients with pacemakers were recommended not to get MRIs because it can interrupt the pacemaker function. The implantable pacing system can be programmed via remote prior to and after the test, making it relatively safe for use during an MRI.
Cardiovascular Recovery Unit
Merit Health Central offers specialized care for patients recovering from cardiac surgery in our dedicated cardiovascular recovery unit (CVR). Surgery is only part of the answer for patients, and the specialized care in this unit extends to patients’ families as well. Treatment focuses on educating the patients and their families and ensuring all their needs are met - from surgery to dietary issues.