Heart Failure Specialist

SWICFT Cardiology

Cardiology located in Naples, FL, Bonita Springs, FL, & Marco Island, FL

Heart failure means the heart is not filling or pumping well enough to meet the body's needs. Treatment can improve symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization. SWICFT Cardiology serves Southwest Florida with evaluation, individualized treatment, and ongoing follow-up. Call the office for care; call 911 for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, or fainting.

239-261-2000

Heart Failure Q & A

What is heart failure?

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped. It means the heart cannot fill or pump effectively enough to support the body's needs. Fluid can build up in the lungs or other tissues.

Ejection fraction describes the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart's main pumping chamber with each beat. Some people have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, in which pumping strength is weakened. Others have preserved ejection fraction, in which the heart may be stiff and fill poorly despite a normal pumping percentage. Your heart failure type helps guide treatment.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include shortness of breath during activity or when lying flat, fatigue, reduced ability to exercise, swelling in the legs or abdomen, and weight gain from fluid retention. Symptoms can change over time.

Call 911 for severe or sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain, or fainting. Contact your care team promptly for increasing swelling, worsening breathlessness, new difficulty sleeping flat, or rapid weight gain beyond the limits in your personal action plan.

What causes heart failure?

Common causes include coronary artery disease, a prior heart attack, longstanding high blood pressure, heart valve disease, and conditions that affect the heart muscle. Abnormal heart rhythms and other medical conditions can also contribute. Your evaluation looks for causes that can be treated.

How is heart failure diagnosed?

Your clinician reviews your symptoms, history, medicines, and physical examination. An echocardiogram helps assess heart structure, valves, and ejection fraction. An electrocardiogram and blood tests can provide additional information. Other imaging or testing is selected according to the suspected cause.

How is heart failure treated?

Treatment depends on the type of heart failure, its cause, blood pressure, kidney function, and other conditions.

Medications

For heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, care often includes four groups of medicines: an ARNI or, when appropriate, an ACE inhibitor or ARB; an evidence-based beta blocker; a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist; and an SGLT2 inhibitor. Your clinician chooses and adjusts these medicines according to safety and tolerance. Diuretics may help relieve fluid buildup.

SGLT2 inhibitors can also benefit many people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including people without diabetes. Treating blood pressure, rhythm problems, and other contributing conditions remains important. Your care team monitors blood tests and symptoms as treatment changes.

Devices, procedures, and rehabilitation

Selected patients may benefit from an implanted defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization device, a valve or coronary procedure, or specialist evaluation for advanced heart failure care. Cardiac rehabilitation and appropriately prescribed activity can support recovery and daily function when suitable.

What can I do at home?

Take your medicines as prescribed and keep follow-up appointments. Ask for a written plan covering daily weights, symptoms to report, activity, sodium intake, and any fluid limits. Weigh yourself as instructed and contact your team when you reach the warning thresholds in your plan.

Do not change diuretic doses or fluid intake on your own unless you have a specific plan from your clinician. Bring your medication list and weight or symptom record to visits.

For ongoing care, call SWICFT Cardiology at 239-261-2000.