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What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens due to a disease of the heart or blood vessels. A weakened heart muscle means the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the organs and tissues, depriving parts of the body of enough blood and nutrients. Because the heart muscle is not strong enough, the blood returning to the heart can back up, causing congestion in the tissues. Fluid build-up in parts of the body, such as the lungs and the legs result in shortness of breath, congested cough and fatigue. There are several reasons why the heart muscle may become weak and not work properly:
A health history, physical exam, chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram (EKG) help diagnose heart failure. Based on your symptoms and test results, your doctor may want to measure the amount of blood pumped from the heart with each beat with an echocardiogram, nuclear scan, or left ventriculogram.
For most patients, heart failure is a chronic condition. This means it can be treated and managed, but not cured. If it is the result of other medical conditions, such as blocked coronary arteries or heart valve disease, surgery may help. Otherwise, your cardiologist will recommend rehabilitation to manage your symptoms.
Heart Failure Clinic
Congestive heart failure patients receive information and support beginning from the time they are first diagnosed. Individualized fitness and education programs take place at Heart Center's Harmony Campus in Fort Collins.
A specialized staff of practitioners, including nurses, pharmacists, and a dietitian, is dedicated to meeting the special needs of patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Overseen by the Heart Failure Clinic medical director, this group of professionals guides patients through education, testing procedures, lifestyle modification, medication routines, and rehabilitation.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Early management helps slow the progression of heart failure and helps avoid frequent hospitalization. Rehabilitation for congestive heart failure patients is conducted in one-hour sessions, three times a week, and is designed to help patients reach their potential for independence through:
2121 E. Harmony Road, Suites 100 & 200
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 221-1000
Toll Free (800) 459-4241
Click here to learn more about the Heart Failure Clinic.
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens due to a disease of the heart or blood vessels. A weakened heart muscle means the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the organs and tissues, depriving parts of the body of enough blood and nutrients. Because the heart muscle is not strong enough, the blood returning to the heart can back up, causing congestion in the tissues. Fluid build-up in parts of the body, such as the lungs and the legs result in shortness of breath, congested cough and fatigue. There are several reasons why the heart muscle may become weak and not work properly:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Heart Valve Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Heart Muscle Disorder (Cardiomyopathy)
- Idiopathic (Unknown Cause) Cardiomyopathy
A health history, physical exam, chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram (EKG) help diagnose heart failure. Based on your symptoms and test results, your doctor may want to measure the amount of blood pumped from the heart with each beat with an echocardiogram, nuclear scan, or left ventriculogram.
For most patients, heart failure is a chronic condition. This means it can be treated and managed, but not cured. If it is the result of other medical conditions, such as blocked coronary arteries or heart valve disease, surgery may help. Otherwise, your cardiologist will recommend rehabilitation to manage your symptoms.
Heart Failure Clinic
Congestive heart failure patients receive information and support beginning from the time they are first diagnosed. Individualized fitness and education programs take place at Heart Center's Harmony Campus in Fort Collins.
A specialized staff of practitioners, including nurses, pharmacists, and a dietitian, is dedicated to meeting the special needs of patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Overseen by the Heart Failure Clinic medical director, this group of professionals guides patients through education, testing procedures, lifestyle modification, medication routines, and rehabilitation.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Early management helps slow the progression of heart failure and helps avoid frequent hospitalization. Rehabilitation for congestive heart failure patients is conducted in one-hour sessions, three times a week, and is designed to help patients reach their potential for independence through:
- Medically supervised exercise programs
- Medication management
- Dietary instruction
- Fluid management
- Lifestyle modification
- Daily weight measurements
- Heart rhythm assessment
- CHF support group
2121 E. Harmony Road, Suites 100 & 200
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 221-1000
Toll Free (800) 459-4241
Click here to learn more about the Heart Failure Clinic.