Specialized Care for Congestive Heart Failure

Doctor pointing at chartAccording to the American Heart Association, six million Americans are living with heart failure and more than 900,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Skagit Regional Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute cardiologists are highly trained experts in diagnosing and treating congestive heart failure (CHF). Working together, our patients can live healthier lives and experience greater independence with symptom relief. Also, as the only Heart and Vascular Institute in the region, we have the additional team expertise and advanced technology to diagnose and treat the more complicated CHF stages and types.

Understanding Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition that causes the heart to not pump an adequate amount of oxygenated blood to vital organs. When the heart becomes weak or stiff and thickened, the heart muscle cannot keep up with its workload.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure may include:

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty in walking stairs
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of appetite
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Persistent coughing
  • Pounding or racing heart
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling in the ankles
  • Swelling of extremities
  • Weight gain
  • Wheezing

The symptoms of heart failure can come on suddenly, as in acute cases, or slowly, progressing over time as a chronic condition. Some conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may increase the incidence of congestive heart failure.

Learn More about CHF through Patient Education

Congestive heart failure is a very complex disease that requires multidisciplinary care. It affects the entire family, which is why educating the patient and the family about CHF is vital. We encourage patients to understand the symptoms, know the warning signs and see a heart specialist at the Skagit Regional Health Heart and Vascular Institute sooner than later for expert care. Because patients with CHF are at higher risk, they need careful and immediate management.

Congestive Heart Failure Clinic Serves the Community

Skagit Regional Health offers a comprehensive Congestive Heart Failure Clinic that serves people across Skagit, Island and north Snohomish counties. We manage our patients locally, in their communities, and help them live better with heart failure using the most promising treatment options. Our patients with heart failure can continue to work and be with their families instead of driving and staying in hospitals that are farther away.

For patients who need Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD) or heart transplants, we are able to refer to our clinical colleagues in Seattle, however patients are able to come back home and receive ongoing medical care locally at Skagit Regional Health Heart and Vascular Institute.

For More Information About Congestive Heart Failure

For more information about congestive heart failure, our team at Skagit Regional Health Heart and Vascular Institute can help. Contact us at the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic at 360-336-9757.