At The International Heart Institute of Montana we have a team of professionals dedicated to the care and management of patients living with heart failure. Although there is no cure for heart failure, many patients continue to lead active and full lives by adhering to a custom fit treatment program. Bradley Berry, MD, Deborah Sybrant, PA-C and Vince Colucci, PharmD head up the IHI interdisciplinary team that also includes nurses, dieticians and social workers. We realize that living with a chronic disease can be taxing. The focus of the heart failure clinic at IHI is to provide support and care of the patient and family. The team was designed to address a variety of concerns that arise when a patient is living with heart failure. One day a week is devoted to the treatment of heart failure patients. Each patient has an appointment for 45-60 minutes so that they are ensured plenty of time to have all their concerns reviewed. The most common issues discussed with each patient include: medication review and education, surgical and interventional treatment options, dietary education, signs and symptoms and when to report them to your doctor, monitoring of all symptoms, and support for any psychosocial or financial concerns. The clinic staff stays in touch with patients by phone. Patients are encouraged to call with any questions or new symptoms they feel they should report. It has been shown that heart failure clinics can reduce hospital readmissions and help patients to feel better. We believe that with personalized treatment plans and close monitoring our patients with heart failure can lead full and healthy lives.
Common Treatments for Heart Failure
Medications
Common medications used in Heart Failure include:
Beta Blockers: Used to slow the heart and decrease the workload of the heart. Diuretics: Used to help the body eliminate extra fluid that accumulates with heart failure.
ACE Inhibitiors: A class of drugs that decreases blood pressure and lessens the workload of the heart. Education
A patient with Heart Failure needs to become an expert in taking care of him or herself. He needs to understand the symptoms and what symptom changes may indicate. Symptom changes and management of diet, fluid intake, alcohol, weight, and caffeine are all important. Heart Failure requires frequent “fine-tuning”, and the patient who lives with it will need to become his or her own best monitor. The staff at the Heart Failure Clinic are close at hand to help.
Psychological Support
Living with a chronic disease is a challenge. Sometimes it is helpful to meet other people who are going through similar circumstances. The Mended Hearts Support group can provide company. Cardiac Rehab can provide a supportive environment to help you stay on track. Clinical Social Workers can provide counseling and financial answers. The pastoral services department at St. Patrick Hospital can help you with spiritual needs. It is important to realize that having a physical challenge can be stressful, and that you need to take special care of yourself during those times.
Surgery for Heart Failure
Some patients may benefit from heart surgery, pacemakers, defibrillators, coronary stents, and in rare cases cardiac transplantation.
Resynchronization Therapy (Biventricular Pacing)
Pacemakers have been around for a long time. Researchers have discovered that a special kind of pacemaker can help treat Heart Failure. This is called a biventricular pacer. This device is implanted in the cardiac catheter lab and is designed to pace the pumping chambers of the heart together. The device can be helpful in treating patients with heart failure because sometimes, patients’ hearts get out of rhythm. Often times, the pumping chambers are pumping at different times. Restoring their ability to work as a team can reduce patient symptoms and improve heart function.
Links
Heart Failure Society of America
Heart Failure Online
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