About 6 million Americans live with heart failure. In Ashtabula County heart disease is the leading cause of death, with heart failure a primary factor.
Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist John Stephens, MD, who sees patients five days a week at Ashtabula County Medical Center, said heart failure is a dangerous condition, because it can lead to other health problems.
“The definition of heart failure is when your heart does not pump enough blood or does not pump it with enough force to send a sufficient supply to all of your body's tissues and organs,” he said. “It can come on slowly, so a patient may not immediately recognize they have problems with their heart. That is why it is so important to schedule regular checkups with your physician. If we can detect this early enough, it opens the door for many more treatment options.”
People with heart failure often complain of:
• Feeling tired or short of breath.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
• Unexplained weight gain
• Swollen legs and ankles.
• Frequent dry cough.
“Unfortunately, these symptoms are easy to write off as a seasonal illness, or eating too much during the holidays,” Dr. Stephen said. “You should be concerned if you feel your heart or pulse racing and slowing down, or if you have sudden, recurring weakness throughout the day.”
To diagnose heart failure, Dr. Stephens said he will listen to your heart beating as well as breathing sounds in your lungs. He may also take a look at your heart with x-ray, echocardiogram or other imaging tests.
“We have a variety of treatment options, but the best is a change in lifestyle. Eat healthier, exercise, and avoid tobacco. We can create a nutritional plan and exercise plan for you to follow that safely helps you lose weight and strengthen the body,” Dr. Stephens said. “A healthy lifestyle is the No. 1 factor in preventing and helping your body control a disease.
Even if you only drop a few pounds of weight, you can dramatically decrease your risk of heart disease or other chronic illnesses.”
Treatment options go beyond just strengthening the heart and cardiovascular system.
“When we treat heart failure, we obviously want to avoid anything that further damages the heart. We’ll monitor your blood pressure, buildup of fluids in your body, weight gain and other heart risks,” Dr. Stephens said.
A treatment plan may include medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers, which reduce blood pressure and ease the strain on your heart.
If a faulty heart valve or blocked artery is the culprit, surgical options may be recommended.
Since heart disease is a chronic illness, you will need to continually monitor your health, and report any sudden changes to your cardiologist – who you may initially see every three to six months, or more frequently if you are experiencing changing symptoms.
“When we talk to people about a chronic illness, they often see the worst case scenario. Yes, this is a disease that can get worse over time, but it is also very manageable if you monitor your symptoms, follow prescribed treatment and do what you have to do to improve your health,” Dr. Stephen said.
If you do experience sudden chest pain or severe symptoms of heart failure, call 9-1-1 and tell the paramedics to bring you to ACMC. The hospital is certified in heart failure care by The Society of Chest Pain Centers. ACMC has fewer readmissions for heart failure and is rated among the best hospitals in the state for heart failure care.
Dr. Stephens is board certified for testing and treating cardiovascular diseases. To schedule an appointment with him or any of the three Cleveland Clinic Cardiologists who practice full-time at ACMC, call 440-994-7266. . To learn more about your risk for heart disease use one of the heart health assessments or quizzes under Health Library Health Tools at www.acmchealth.org.