Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at Silver Cross
Located in Pavilion A, Suite 450, the Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at Silver Cross offers specialty care for patients with advancing heart failure. A team of advanced heart failure doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses partner with your primary care doctor and cardiologist to provide streamlined, exceptional care, while offering the very latest technology and approaches to treat your heart failure.
Services Offered Include:
- Consultation with advanced heart failure specialists
- Medication management, education and an individualized treatment plan
- Advanced practice nurse visits for symptom management, medication changes and education
For more information about our Advanced Heart Failure Clinic, call 815-300-3811.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when your heart is not able to efficiently pump blood throughout your body. When your heart is not pumping at it best it is not able to supply oxygen-rich blood to other parts of your body. It can result in increased swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing.
What You May Not Know About Congestive Heart Failure?
Dr. Gregory Macaluso, Director of the Heart Failure Clinic, busts the myth that you can't live a normal life while treating CHF.
What causes Heart Failure?
There are several different types of diseases that cause heart failure. In addition, lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol and/or drug misuse, certain types of chemotherapy, increased weight and lack of physical activity also can lead to heart failure. The following are some of the most common diseases that cause heart failure:
Coronary Artery Disease
Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits called plaques build up in the arteries of the heart that supply blood to the heart muscle. When this happens blood vessels become more narrow and are less able to carry needed blood to the heart muscle.
Congenital Heart Disease
At birth, some people are born with defects of the heart. Different parts of the heart need to work harder to compensate for the parts of the heart that are damaged or incorrectly formed.
Valvular Heart Disease
Heart valve disease can occur from infections, defects at birth, from the aging process, and other disease processes. When the valves in the heart do not open and close properly, this can cause stress on the heart muscle.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure that is not well controlled can lead to increased stress on the heart muscle. The heart muscle needs to work harder when blood pressure is high, and over time this can damage the heart muscle causing them to stretch out and become weaker.
Other Diseases
Overactive thyroid, diabetes, and HIV are other long term diseases that can cause heart failure.
Risk Factors for Heart Failure
Risk factors for heart failure include obesity, smoking, coronary artery disease, diabetes, genetics, inactivity, hypertension, and heart attack.
What are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?
- Shortness of breath
- Edema (swelling)
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
Are There Treatment Options for My Heart Failure?
It is important to discuss treatment options with your physician. Depending on the type of heart failure you have, different options are available. Treatment plans include lifestyle changes and medications. In addition, you might be a candidate for various surgical procedures.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery—A surgeon makes new routes around blocked arteries in the heart to improve blood flow.
- Heart Valve Surgery—A surgeon replaces or repairs the valves in the heart.
- Pacemaker—A small device is placed in the chest to help control the heartbeat.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator—A device is implanted in the body to detect abnormal, life-threatening heartbeats and then deliver electrical energy (shock) to restore a regular heartbeat.
- Ventricular Assist Device—A surgeon inserts a device in your heart that helps pump blood through your heart to the rest of your body.
- Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring—A sensor is implanted in the pulmonary artery. It measures changes in pressure in the heart, which can indicate worsening heart failure. The doctor receives alerts and can adjust medications as needed to help prevent worsening symptoms.
