Congestive Heart Failure Clinic

 

Congestive Heart Failure, or CHF, is the number one diagnosis for Medicare patient admissions. More than five million people have the disease with 400,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Major symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath, swollen ankles or legs, inability to lay flat at night due to breathing difficulties, increased urination at night, weakness, extreme fatigue and diminished levels of activity. CHF is a very general term. It can apply to an enlarged weakened heart or a thick strong heart. It can be temporary or chronic.

 

The Good News...
is that there have been many recent medical breakthroughs that have improved the survival rate greatly. Patients can now live a longer, more active and productive life with specific lifestyle changes. The areas of improvement involve
medications, medical devices and congestive heart failure clinics.

 

JCMG's Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic helps patients better manage their condition. The goal is not only to reduce hospital admissions, but to improve the patient’s quality of life. Patients will be seen by a cardiologist, nurse practitioner and/or a nurse educator to improve their symptoms and get their heart to work as efficiently as possible.

 

The CHF Clinic will provide specific educational information:

• Proper Rest / Exercise
• Proper Nutrition / Diet
• Daily Weight Monitoring
• Medications, such as
  • ACE Inhibitors
  • Beta Blockers
  • Digitalis
  • Diuretics
  • Vasodilators
  • Devices (Biventricular pacer, defibrillators)

Dr. Wendell Williams, Cardiologist, is the medical director of the JCMG Congestive Heart Failure Cilnic. If you would like additional information or to make an appointment, please call 635-JCMG (5264).