Do More for Your Heart Failure

Like a tire, your heart needs special care and attention to function properly, allowing you to do the things you love. Even if you are already taking medication for heart failure, there may be more you can do to help your heart today.

Heart Failure is Serious

When your heart is unable to pump enough blood for your body, you have a condition called heart failure. Even if you are feeling okay, heart failure often gets worse before you notice a change or have symptoms.

Visiting a heart failure clinic sooner, can help you understand your options and may prevent permanent damage to your health. They have specialists who only focus on treating heart failure. Working with you and your current care team, they can help you gain access to specialized therapies to treat your heart failure.

3 out of 4 people hospitalized with heart failure may die in 5 years.


Talking to a Specialist Could Save Your Life

Heart failure is a condition with no known cure that can lead to hospitalization and other serious health problems. When you talk to a heart failure specialist you can be informed on the best treatment options so you can give your heart the attention it needs.

Heart failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for Americans 65 and older2

A person with a cane

Most people are not on the right medical treatment for their heart failure.3

Almost 400,000 people die each year from heart failure in the US.4

The United States
   

Find a Heart Failure Clinic

Heart failure specialists have additional, extensive training to fully treat patients like you. It's vital to your continued health that you find a clinic specifically dedicated to helping people with heart failure. Enter your zip code to find a heart failure clinic near you.

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Common Symptoms of Heart Failure5

You may be used to having some of these symptoms, but they may not be normal signs of daily life or aging. Seeing a heart failure specialist can help you understand your treatment options and may prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
 

A person with lungs

Shortness of Breath

A person with a depleted battery

Decreased Energy

A leg and foot

Swelling of Feet / Ankles / Legs

A person who is dizzy

Lightheadedness
 

A heart with a fast pulse

Faster Heart Rate

A person coughing

Frequent Coughing

A stomach with an exclamation point

Nausea

A scale

Weight Gain


Talk with Someone Who Has Heart Failure

Speak with someone one-on-one to learn about their experience living with heart failure.

Women chatting on steps
   

Preparing for Your Visit with a Heart Failure Specialist

Asking questions is important during your visit. Download and print these questions to take with you on your next visit.

  • How serious is my heart failure?
  • Can my heart failure get worse even if I am taking medication?
  • What can I do to help stop my heart failure from getting worse so I can maintain a good quality of life?
  • If my heart failure gets worse, what therapies and treatment options are available besides medications?
  • Where can I get more information about heart failure prevention and treatment?
  • How do you track the progress of my heart failure?
A man reading on a computer preparing for a doctor appointment
A man reading on a computer preparing for a doctor appointment

Ways You Can Do More

If you’re looking for more support, community, or useful resources, there are plenty of things you can do now. Sign up to learn more about this condition or chat with someone who has heart failure just like you.

Learn About Heart Failure  

Receive emails with more information about heart failure and when to talk with a specialist.
 

   

Talk With Someone Like You 

You are not alone. Talk with someone on a similar journey to learn how they live their life with heart failure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering how to explore more options for you or your loved one's heart failure? Talking with a heart failure specialist at a dedicated heart failure center is a great place to start.

What is a heart failure clinic?

Often part of larger hospitals or medical facilities, heart failure clinics host advanced programs that are specifically focused on treating people who have heart failure. They are staffed with specialists who have additional training and specialized knowledge of the latest technologies and treatments that your regular doctor may not have access to. The availability of these advanced options can make a positive impact on your quality of life.

What’s the difference between a heart failure specialist and a cardiologist?

At a heart failure clinic, there will be doctors and nurses who have advanced training in heart failure and have access to the latest technology. These specialists may sometimes have different titles (such as an Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologist), they can help you do more for your heart failure.

What can I expect as a new patient of a heart failure clinic?

The first appointment will be longer (likely about an hour). During your visit, your medical history will be reviewed with you. Your treatment plan, developed specifically for you, will be discussed with you in detail by a heart failure specialist. The plan will focus on managing your heart failure and any symptoms as well as preventing future symptoms. It may include additional testing, adjustments to your medications and evaluation for advanced options.

What can I do if I still have questions?

In addition to speaking with your doctor, some heart failure clinics have support groups for people who have been diagnosed with heart failure and their friends/loved ones. You can also talk with someone who has heart failure like you, to talk about their experience with heart failure.

How should I prepare for my visit with a heart failure specialist?

  • Work with your heart failure clinic to understand if you need to call your current doctor to request records.
  • Bring a notebook or sheet to take notes.
  • Download, print and review the discussion guide so you are prepared for your visit.
  • For additional support, ask a friend or family member to attend the appointment with you.

Additional Information

Clinics are listed in order of geographic proximity from the information entered in the locator. Abbott does not endorse any of the clinics on this locator, but merely provides them as a courtesy. Nor does Abbott represent that this is a full list of clinics in a particular location. Though Abbott attempts to regularly update the locator, the locator may not have the latest information regarding the clinic or provider, or availability of product.

The clinics are included in the locator because they satisfy one or both of the following: have ordered at least 3 CardioMEMS systems in total and at least one in the last year if an implanting center, or have requested inclusion and have managed at least 3 CardioMEMS patients in the last 12 months if a non-implanting center; and/or because they are certified as a HeartMate LVAD implanting center, have ordered at least one HeartMate LVAD in the last 12 months, and have all HeartMate device-related equipment required for patient management. The number of orders has been validated; the number of implants has not been validated.

This locator includes US clinics only. No clinics or healthcare professionals (HCPs) have paid or received a fee to be listed, but some HCPs within the clinics on this locator may purchase products from Abbott, provide consulting services to Abbott, and/or may have a financial relationship with Abbott. The locator is not meant to be an endorsement for any particular clinic, nor does it represent the qualifications of the HCPs at the clinic. Abbott cannot provide medical advice regarding whether it’s appropriate for you to be implanted.

For more information about this clinic locator please see our policy. Any information you provide is covered by our privacy policy.

These materials are not intended to replace your doctor's advice or information. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding the medical procedures, devices and/or your personal health, please discuss these with your physicians.

References

  1. Morris, A, Shah KS, Enciso JS, et al. The Impacts of Health Care Disparities on Patients with Heart Failure. J Card Fail. 2022 Jul;28(7):1169-1184.
  2. Azad N, Lemay G. Management of chronic heart failure in the older population. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2014 Dec;11(4):329-37. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2014.04.008. PMID: 25593582; PMCID: PMC4292097.
  3. Lindenfeld J, Zile MR, Desai AS, et al. Haemodynamic-guided management of heart failure (GUIDE-HF): a randomized controlled trial. The Lancet. 2021;398:991-1001.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed January 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_failure.htm.
  5. Warning signs of heart failure. American Heart Association website. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/warning-signs-of-heart-failure. Accessed March 1, 2021.

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