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How Can We Help?

719.776.8500

Heart Failure

Progressive Disease of the Heart

Did you know that heart failure effects more than 3 million people in the U.S. each year? Heart failure is a progressive disease of the heart. Our expert team of providers are trained to care for your heart in this critical time of need. At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we have a team trained to diagnose and treat heart failure. With regular visits, medication therapies and state of the art testing, we can help you gain momentum in improving your quality of life when diagnosed with heart failure. We offer frequent appointments with the heart failure team and heart failure education to help guide you through this very important journey and keep you out of the hospital. We also utilize a healthcare platform that helps measure vital signs at home that is shared with your healthcare team so that they can titrate medications as necessary and keep your team apprised of any changes in symptoms.

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure, also called Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that prevents the heart from adequately squeezing (systole) and filling (diastole) with blood.

What are symptoms of heart failure?

  • shortness of breath either at rest or with activity or exercise
  • weight gain of 3 pounds overnight or 5 pounds in a week
  • chest pain
  • cough, either dry or phlegm producing
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • inability to exercise
  • loss of appetite
  • bloating
  • swelling in your legs and/ or abdomen
  • palpitations

What medications are used to treat heart failure?

Common medications used to treat heart failure must be prescribed by your doctor. These medications can’t cure your heart failure, but they can help treat your heart failure. Classes of medications that may be prescribed during your treatment may include:

  • Diuretics- these medications help rid your body of excess fluid
  • Beta blockers- help your heart pump more effectively
  • ACE Inhibitors- relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure
  • ARNI’s- combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an ARB
  • Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
  • I f Channel Blocker (Corlanor)
  • Aldosterone Antagonists

Are you at risk for heart failure?

If you have had a previous heart attack, you have coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, you could be at risk. You may also be at risk if you have a condition called atrial fibrillation. If any of these risk factors apply to you, it is important to take your medications as directed and see a trained cardiologist on a regular basis.

What can you do to help manage heart failure at home?

The best thing you can do, if you are diagnosed with heart failure, is take care of yourself. Here at Colorado Springs Cardiology, we develop a plan of care specific to you. Diet plays a huge role in your health and is especially important for our heart failure patients. We educate you on diet, exercise and medications and we offer support with any questions you have. Our providers are caring and compassionate and they want to help you live your best life.