Heart Failure Specialist

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means your heart isn’t working as well as it should. Your heart is a strong muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

With heart failure, your heart isn’t strong enough to supply all the organs, tissues, and cells in your body with oxygen-rich blood, making activities like climbing the stairs or grocery shopping exhausting. 

Heart failure is a chronic health condition, but treatment can improve heart function and quality of life. Cardiology Associates of Frederick is a state-of-the-art practice that offers comprehensive cardiac care.

What causes heart failure?

Heart failure may develop from conditions that damage or weaken the heart or stiffen the muscle. Common causes include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Congenital cardiac abnormalities
• High blood pressure 
• Arrhythmias
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart valve disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Myocarditis

Heart failure may develop from any one of the above causes. However, it most often occurs from a combination of factors. 

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

Heart failure symptoms may be acute or chronic. With heart failure you may experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Swelling in your lower extremities or abdomen
• Rapid weight gain from fluid retention
• Irregular heartbeat
• Poor tolerance to exercise
• Poor appetite
• Difficulty concentrating

You should schedule a consultation at Cardiology Associates of Frederick if you have these symptoms but haven’t been diagnosed with heart failure. You should also schedule an appointment if you have heart failure and your symptoms are getting worse.

How is heart failure diagnosed?

Cardiology Associates of Frederick offers advanced testing to diagnose heart failure. Your cardiologist reviews your symptoms, medical history, and family history and performs a physical.

To confirm that your symptoms are due to heart failure, your provider runs various diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), stress test, or echocardiogram. 

Your cardiologist uses the results of your testing to not only diagnose heart failure, but determine the severity of your condition. 

How is heart failure treated?

Heart failure is a chronic condition, but your provider at Cardiology Associates of Frederick offers treatment that alleviates symptoms and improves heart health and function.

Treatment for your heart failure may include lifestyle modifications such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. Your cardiologist also prescribes medications to lower blood pressure and improve heart strength.

In some cases, they may recommend surgical procedures to address the underlying cause of heart failure. 

Cardiology Associates of Frederick works one-on-one with you to develop a plan that helps you live your best life. Call the office or schedule your consultation through the website booking button today.