Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among
older adults in the United States. According to the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute (NHLBI), an estimated 5 million Americans have heart
failure and those numbers only continue to rise.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart is
unable to adequately send blood to organs and muscles throughout the body.
Your body’s cells depend on the heart to supply oxygen-rich blood
to function properly.
While there is no cure for heart failure, many patients live with the condition.
CVMC, who just received Heart Failure Accreditation status from the Society
of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC), provides patients with ways to
help manage heart failure so that they can enjoy a better quality of life
despite their disease. “Attaining SCPC Heart Failure Accreditation
is significant because it demonstrates CVMC’s commitment to more
effectively and efficiently offer treatment for heart failure patients
early, rather than waiting until problems have already developed,”
said Heart Failure Specialist, Sara Paul, DNP FNP, of
Catawba Valley Cardiology. “Our approach to heart failure patient care includes up-to-date
monitoring technology and coordinated care designed to prevent hospital
readmissions and improve patient outcomes.”
CVMC, in collaboration with
Catawba Valley Cardiology, implement programs and tools to give the best care to patients who have
heart failure, not only in the hospital but also during pre-hospital care
and in care after discharge. Such resources include, but aren’t
limited to:
Heart Failure Clinic
Catawba Valley Cardiology offers a dedicated
heart failure clinic,
the only one in the area,to provide preventative care for patients experiencing heart failure symptoms.
The clinic offers an alternative to an emergency room visit for patients
with minor heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling
or fatigue.
The CardioMEMS Heart Failure System
Last year, CVMC became the
first hospital in the region to offer a new wireless heart failure technology — the
CardioMEMS Heart Failure System. This system allows patients to send critical information about their
heart failure condition to a nurse on a regular basis, which also decreases
the need for additional clinic or hospital visits.
Heart Failure Support Group
Turning Failure Into Success meets the first Tuesday, every three months, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the
Health First Center. Come and learn how to successfully manage lifestyle changes to promote
better living with heart failure! This program is free! All of those living
with heart failure, their family members and caregivers are welcome to
attend! For more information, please contact Amber Hice RN, BSN, Heart
Failure Coordinator, at 828.326.3997.
To learn more about the heart failure services and programs that are available
and how CVMC can help you manage your condition please contact
Catawba Valley Cardiology at 828.326.2354.