Cardiac Management Services
Congestive heart failure happens when your heart muscle can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. The heart is too weak or stiff to pump or fill with blood efficiently.
Congestive heart failure often develops after other conditions, such as when coronary artery disease, blocked arteries or high blood pressure have damaged or weakened your heart muscle. While congestive heart failure is a lifelong condition, the outlook is brighter than ever. By modifying your lifestyle and receiving encouragement and support through SIH Cardiac Management Center, you can live a longer, more comfortable life.
Recognizing congestive heart failure
Here are a few common symptoms of congestive heart failure:
- Excess build-up of fluid in body tissues
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Lack of appetite, nausea
- Confused, impaired thinking
- Increased heart rate
About SIH Cardiac Management Center
Your physician referred you to SIH Cardiac Management Center to receive more comprehensive coordination of your care. You’ll be seen by cardiac experts, specialized in treating congestive heart failure. You’ll still have visits with your primary physician and we will keep him/her updated on your progress with us. Together, our goal is to plan the best course of managing the disease and help you get on to a happy, healthy life.
What you can expect
Self-management of heart failure symptoms at home can dramatically decrease your visits to the emergency room or admission to the hospital. SIH Cardiac Management Center is a resource to help you learn how to manage your heart failure and improve quality of life.
Initially, you may see our heart failure nurse navigator during your stay at a SIH facility. You may also be referred to us for follow-up by an ER physician, your cardiologist or primary care doctor on an outpatient basis. Bring a list of your questions, your heart failure management binder and a list of your medications.
In addition to an initial consultation, you can expect us to:
- Check your vital signs
- Review your medications
- Help you understand your diet
- Plan follow-ups
- Answer your questions about congestive heart failure
- Order additional tests if needed to monitor your progress
- Provide IV medications for heart failure symptoms, helping you avoid trips to the ER.
- Be available to you 24/7 should you have questions about heart failure during evening hours and weekends