Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a general term that describes a condition characterized by symptoms and physical exam findings attributed to increased pressures within the heart. These symptoms include shortness of breath during activity or when lying flat, abdominal swelling, and lower extremity swelling. Symptom severity largely depends on the underlying pathology and the management strategy. Congestive heart failure is frequently a chronic condition and has become the leading cardiac cause of hospital admission.
Most cardiac abnormalities leading to congestive heart failure symptoms fit into one of three categories:
- Systolic heart failure (problems with the pumping function of the heart)
- Diastolic heart failure (problems with cardiac relaxation)
- Valvular heart disease (problems with the structures ensuring proper blood flow through the heart).
At North Suffolk Cardiology, our physicians utilize treatments that increase both the longevity and quality of life of their patients with congestive heart failure. Due to the varied nature of the underlying pathology and the chronicity of the illness, this often requires an individualized and multifaceted approach.
A patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) patient may require one or all of the following:
- Education
- Dietary counseling
- Frequent medication adjustments
- Diagnostic cardiac imaging
- Invasive cardiac testing or intervention
- Specialized pacemaker or defibrillator placement
- Cardiac surgery
All of these services, with the exception of cardiac surgery, are provided by physicians within our practice allowing for an integrated and well-organized approach to the patient. In short, at North Suffolk Cardiology, patients with congestive heart failure will find doctors with the requisite caring, expertise, and resources for the successful management of their disease.