Heart failure (congestive heart failure) occurs when the heart muscle is not functioning as well as it should. If the left ventricle (lower left chamber of the heart) is not contracting well, it’s called systolic heart failure. If the ventricle is stiff and doesn’t fill properly, it’s called diastolic heart failure. When treating patients with heart failure, the Carle team works together to decrease the chances of disease progression and to improve your quality of life. Our multidisciplinary team of caregivers specializing in heart failure can provide advanced treatment therapies to patients with this condition.
Our team includes clinicians who specialize in cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart failure. We bring together experts in Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pharmacy and Social Work with expertise in diagnostic testing, medical and lifestyle management, surgical procedures and psychosocial support.
The Carle Heart and Vascular Institute is one of the largest cardiovascular institutes in Illinois.
FIND A DOCTOR VISIT INSTITUTEMedical Management of Heart Failure
We make sure patients with heart failure take the right medications to prevent the disease from progressing, keep you out of the hospital and reduce the risk of death. Our nurses, dietitians and cardiac rehabilitation team counsel you on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to help you participate as much as possible in activities of daily living and to reduce your symptoms.
Monitoring from a distance
Our Heart Failure team can monitor you remotely using devices such as the CardioMEMS Heart Failure system. This implanted device monitors you and alerts the medical team prior to you feeling symptoms. Our care team can adjust medications, preventing the need for hospitalization.
Electrical Device Management of Heart Failure
Some patients with advanced heart failure may benefit from the use of electrical devices. One type of therapy is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacemakers. These devices can improve heart function and quality of life. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) may be used to prevent life-threatening heartbeats to reduce the risk of death.
Interventional Management of Heart Disease in patients with Heart Failure
Our interventionalists work closely with heart failure cardiologists and surgeons to provide non-surgical treatments for:
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With doctors practicing in 80 specialties at locations throughout the region, it’s easy to find the right healthcare team at Carle. Our mission is to serve people through high quality care, medical research and education.
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