Programs & Specialties
Heart Failure
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive illness that causes the heart to become too weak to effectively pump blood through the body. It cannot be fully cured and is often managed with medication, a healthy lifestyle and surgical intervention as needed. The symptoms of heart failure may go unnoticed in its early stages. However, if left unchecked they will worsen over time and can lead to a heart attack or complications with your kidneys or liver.
Einstein's heart and vascular specialists are experts in the treatment of a full range of conditions that can cause heart failure, including adult congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, blocked or narrowed arteries and an irregular heartbeat. Using the latest medications and treatment options, we can help you or your loved one manage heart failure and Improve your quality of life.
Our heart failure specialists are experts at treating many types of heart failure and related conditions, including:
- Heart failure related to coronary artery or heart valve disease
- Amyloidosis related heart failure
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiac sarcoidosis
- Cardiogenic shock
- Decreased ejection fraction
- Heart failure related to cancer therapies
Treatment Options
Depending upon the type and severity of your heart failure, your overall health and other factors, your heart care team will recommend a personalized treatment plan that is best for you. Your treatment may include:
If the symptoms of your heart failure can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes alone, your heart team may recommend a non-interventional approach, with regular monitoring to ensure that your condition does not worsen. Remote monitoring can even be set up so that you can measure your weight, blood pressure and oxygenation readings at home, and have the results automatically sent to your care team. This gives your doctors more frequent and up-to-date information so they can catch changes in your health earlier, adjust your medications and help you to be more proactive about your health.
What is a CardioMEMS® implant and what does it do?
For patients who may benefit from more intensive monitoring, CardioMEMS® is a small device that is implanted into your pulmonary artery using a minimally invasive procedure. This device monitors the blood pressure in your pulmonary artery and can alert your care team to changes before you feel the symptoms of worsening heart failure. This can help your doctors adjust your medications and take a proactive approach to your care, and has been shown to reduce the need for hospitalization as a result of heart failure and related cardiac events.
For patients with certain types of advanced heart failure, your doctor may recommend implanting a biventricular pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator. A pacemaker can help your heart maintain a normal rhythm, especially if you have an abnormally slow heartbeat, and can improve the function of your heart and your overall quality of life. An ICD monitors your heart and sends a small shock to restore a normal rhythm if it starts beating abnormally, which can prevent life-threatening heartbeats and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Both devices are implanted using minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedures that involve threading wire leads into certain areas of your heart, then implanting the device itself under your skin.
Learn more about treatments for irregular heartbeats
Heart failure caused by heart valves that are not functioning properly is sometimes treated with cardiac catheterization, especially in patients who are not good candidates for surgery. These include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) and mitral valve repair using the Mitraclip®.
Learn more about the treatments for heart valve conditions
Heart failure caused by congenital heart disease can also be treated with cardiac catheterization, such as by using small implantable devices to close the holes between chambers of the heart that have been present since birth.
Learn more about the available treatments for congenital heart disease
Depending on the type and severity of your heart failure, your heart care team may recommend surgery to treat the causes of your heart failure. Our cardiothoracic surgery team is highly experienced in the full range of advanced minimally invasive procedures as well as traditional open-heart surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting, multiple bypass surgery, left ventricular reconstruction and valve repair or replacement.
Learn more about the surgical treatments for heart failure
For heart failure patients who are awaiting a heart transplant, or who are not eligible for a transplant, ventricular assist devices may be implanted to help the heart pump blood more effectively. This may include a temporary left or right ventricular assist device, which can be implanted using a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization, or a more permanent left ventricular assist device, which can more effectively restore circulation but requires open-heart surgery.
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Wondering when you should make an appointment?
If you experience symptoms concerning for heart failure, have a family history of heart failure, or if your primary care physician recommends that you see a specialist due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol or any other cardiovascular condition, schedule an appointment with an Einstein heart specialist today.
Request an Appointment