Heart Failure

Heart failure, the inability of the heart to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, is a complex condition requiring multi-faceted and well-coordinated care. The Heart Failure Resource Center at AtlantiCare is staffed by specialists who are up for the challenge.

Our program has received Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from the Joint Commission, as well as a Gold Performance Achievement award from the American Heart Association for excellence in the treatment of heart failure. That means you and your family don’t have to travel far for the highest-quality care. 

Heart Failure Symptoms & Risk Factors

It can be difficult to recognize the symptoms of heart failure, but some of the more common signs include shortness of breath, fatigue and sometimes swelling of the legs and feet. 

Patients have a higher risk for developing heart failure if they have a history of one or more of these conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm disorders
• Congenital heart defects
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Diabetes
• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease
• High blood pressure
• Family history of heart failure

Prevention & Detection

The best way to prevent heart failure is to understand your risk factors and take steps to control them. Start with our quick and simple heart risk assessment, which includes a printable report to share with your doctor. We also offer our nationally recognized Ornish Lifestyle Medicine™, free smoking cessation classes and more empowering programs. 

If you think you are at risk for heart failure, AtlantiCare’s experts can help. Our state-of-the-art detection and diagnostic tools can catch the condition early and put you on the fast track to treatment.

Treatments

Acute & chronic heart failure management: Acute and chronic heart failure is a serious medical condition, and the AtlantiCare Heart & Lung Institute team is expertly prepared to provide the treatment plan you need. Management strategies are designed to improve symptoms and your prognosis.

Advanced pacemakers: Advances in pacemaker technology mean that when your heart needs help to work properly, the AtlantiCare team is ready to provide state-of-the-art solutions designed to restore your quality of life. Pacemakers are used to treat people with advanced heart failure, arrhythmias and other heart conditions.

Defibrillator (ICD): A device surgically placed inside your body to restore a normal heart beat by transmitting an electric shock to the heart. An ICD is used to correct an arrhythmia, an uneven heartbeat or one that is either too slow or too fast.

LifeVest: A wearable defibrillator. It reads your electrocardiogram (ECG) continuously and provides a treatment shock if you have a life-threatening arrhythmia and become unresponsive.

Personalized Treatment Plans

There are many effective treatments for heart failure. Your AtlantiCare cardiologist and dedicated team will work closely with you to find the best option, which may include medications to help your heart pump better and regain strength. Common prescriptions include:

• Diuretics: Help the body eliminate fluid and sodium
• Vasodilators and ACE Inhibitors: Open up the blood vessels to help blood flow more freely
• Inotropes or Digoxin: Strengthen the heart's ability to contract
• Beta Blockers: Reduce the effort that it takes the heart to contract

Advanced Options for Heart Failure

Our skilled electrophysiologists (EP) performs hundreds of life-saving procedures each year for heart failure patients, with specialties that include:

• ICD or defibrillator implantation: Patients with heart failure are at a high risk of dying suddenly. The best way to prevent sudden cardiac death is with an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), commonly known as defibrillator. The defibrillator is a small device implanted under the skin and over the chest that will jump start the heart in case it stops beating.
• BiV ICD: This special type of defibrillator not only helps patients live longer, but also makes them feel better. BiV-ICD (biventricular defibrillator) is a bit larger than a regular defibrillator and requires an extra wire to make the heart pump stronger.

Support for Every Step

In addition to ongoing follow-up care, AtlantiCare provides all the education, tools and resources you need to manage your condition with confidence. Explore our ongoing education and support programs, including our Heart Failure Support Group for patients, families and caregivers.