Heart failure
Heart failure is an indication that the heart is no longer working at its full potential. The heart is unable to pump blood as well as normal, which prevents the heart from receiving all the blood and oxygen it requires. Lifestyle changes and medication are popular treatment plans to combat heart failure.
Heart failure clinic in Savannah, Georgia
We create a personalized heart care plan that aims to improve your quality of life.
At Memorial Health University Medical Center, we help manage heart failure so you can lead a full and enjoyable life. We can address your unique needs with various treatment methods, such as medications, surgery and medical device implants.
Is your heart healthy?
Understanding your level of cardiac function is critical to determining your overall health needs. We provide a free and quick health risk survey to help get you started.
Understanding your level of cardiac function is critical to determining your overall health needs. We provide a free and quick health risk survey to help get you started.
Symptoms of heart failure
There are multiple signs and symptoms of heart failure, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Need to sleep upright
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in feet, ankles and legs
- Weakness
- Weight gain from fluid buildup
- Wheezing
Comprehensive heart failure treatment
Our experienced heart failure doctors deliver support to help you manage and improve your long-term health.
Preventing heart failure
The best way to prevent heart failure is to reduce your personal risk of developing coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk include:
- Beginning a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Losing weight, if needed
- Quitting smoking
Diagnosing heart failure
A heart failure diagnosis begins with a visit to one of our board-certified cardiologists, who will perform a physical exam that encompasses multiple steps, including:
- Checking your feet, ankles and legs for swelling
- Feeling your abdomen for tenderness and swelling of the liver
- Listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
Following a physical exam, blood tests and urine samples, additional heart imaging and screening exams will typically be ordered, including:
- Coronary angiography — Identifies narrowing or blockages in the arteries
- Echocardiogram (echo) — Examines the size, shape, function and motion of the heart using ultrasound technology
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) — Measures electrical currents in the heart
- Exercise stress test — Measures heart activity during periods of increased stress, such as physical activity
- Nuclear imaging — Uses a radioactive tracer to highlight and examine areas lacking blood flow in the heart
Treatment options for heart failure
Our team of heart failure doctors connects you with a range of best possible treatment options, including:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Diuretic infusions
- Home inotropic infusion therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Medication management
- Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring