Black female doctor talking to older female patient about heart failure and transplants

Heart failure care in Northwest Florida

More people trust us for heart failure care. See what makes Ascension Sacred Heart in Northwest Florida a regional leader in advanced heart care.
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When your heart is unable to pump blood properly, you may be diagnosed with congestive heart failure, which is a chronic condition that can get worse over time. Getting treatment sooner may help slow the progression and relieve symptoms. Heart specialists at Ascension Sacred Heart are skilled in diagnosing and treating heart failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and having swollen ankles, legs or stomach. When you choose Ascension Sacred Heart for your heart failure care, you get cardiologists and surgeons trained in the latest heart care testing, treatment and procedures. As part of a national care team across Ascension sites of care, your doctors share best practices and research, delivering advanced heart care close to home.

Every appointment starts with a conversation about how you are feeling, any new symptoms or concerns. Your care team will take the time to answer all your questions. By getting to know you, your doctor and care team deliver the heart care that’s right for you.

Your doctor connects the dots for your care -- including connecting you to heart screenings and the right cardiovascular specialists. To diagnose heart failure, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

  • Cardiac nuclear imaging
  • Echocardiogram (TTE)
  • Exercise stress testing
  • Stress echocardiograms
  • Transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE)
  • 24-hour ambulatory EKG monitoring “Holter”

Congestive heart failure treatments and care

Congestive heart failure is a condition that has stages and gets worse over time. Cardiovascular disease, such as narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib), a leaky heart valve, and inherited conditions can cause congestive heart failure. Your doctor listens to understand you. Then, your doctor works with you to create a care plan that’s right for you.

Protected PCI for severe heart disease

At the heart failure clinic at Ascension Sacred Heart, our doctors specialize in advanced heart failure treatments, including a heart pump. If you have been told you're not a candidate for heart surgery, your doctor may recommend percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). During this procedure, an interventional cardiologist will inflate a small balloon in the narrowed portion of your artery to re-open it and restore normal blood flow. Your doctor may also insert a small stent to keep your artery open. PCI is a minimally invasive procedure.

Our multispecialty cardiovascular care teams deliver many treatment options for advanced heart failure, including:

  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
  • Coronary bypass surgery
  • Heart valve repair or replacement
  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
  • Medical management, including remote patient monitoring
  • Medication therapies
  • Ventricular assist device (VAD)

Get a second opinion on your heart or vascular condition, diagnosis or care plan

Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and cardiovascular care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Sacred Heart. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized heart care plan.

When you are facing a new diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. If you are looking for a second opinion for advanced heart care, our cardiologists can also connect you with the right specialists for minimally invasive surgery and open-heart surgery, including coronary bypass, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and ventricular assist devices (VADs). Our heart and vascular specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national care team.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

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Helping you transition home from the hospital

After being discharged from the hospital, we connect you with follow-up care. Our clinic will help you manage your heart condition until you are seen by your heart doctor. You will be given information on how to take care of your heart to help avoid a more serious condition.

Frequently asked questions about heart failure

  • What causes heart failure?

    Congestive heart failure is often caused by a condition that damages your heart, which can include: cardiomyopathy (conditions affecting the heart muscle), coronary heart disease, heart inflammation, obesity, high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. Heart failure is a progressive condition. Early warning signs vary depending on the type of heart failure you have. Initially, some people have no symptoms, but as the condition progresses you may experience shortness of breath and swelling in the feet, legs, ankles or stomach.

  • How do doctors test for heart failure?

    At Ascension sites of care, your doctor provides advanced diagnostic testing for heart failure. Heart failure tests may include:

    • A physical exam
    • Blood tests
    • Echocardiogram
    • Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
    • Exercise stress test
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

    With cardiovascular specialists trained in the latest heart testing, treatments and procedures, care teams at Ascension sites of care connect you to advanced heart care close to home.

  • Is congestive heart failure serious?

    Congestive heart failure is a progressive condition that can be caused by coronary artery disease, chronic AFib and leaky heart valves. Other risk factors for heart failure are heart diseases that weaken the heart muscle, having a heart attack, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, diabetes and some diabetes medications, and some cancer treatments. Cardiologists and heart surgeons at Ascension sites of care specialize in diagnosing and treating heart failure.

    Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, or get a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment options.

  • What are the stages of heart failure?

    There are four stages of heart failure – stage A, B, C and D – which range from high risk of developing heart failure to advanced heart failure.

    • Stage A - high risk for heart failure
    • Stage B - pre-heart failure (structural heart disease)
    • Stage C - heart failure
    • Stage D - advanced heart failure

    Heart failure is a serious condition. At Ascension sites of care, your experienced care team has the expertise to deliver a personalized heart care plan based on your specific needs.

  • How is heart failure treated?

    Based on your diagnosis and health history, your doctor may recommend:

    • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
    • Heart transplant
    • Medical management including remote patient monitoring
    • Medication therapies
    • Ventricular assist device (VAD) to support your heart while preparing for surgery
  • What are common symptoms of heart failure?

    Symptoms of heart failure vary based on your heart failure diagnosis and stage of your condition. Common symptoms of heart failure include:

    • Feeling tired or weak
    • Shortness of breath
    • Trouble breathing when lying down
    • Weight gain with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles or stomach

    Symptoms of end-stage heart failure are more distressing and may include more frequent shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

  • How do I find a heart failure specialist near me?

    When you are facing a serious diagnosis like heart failure or deciding on a treatment plan, there is a lot to think about. If you are looking for a second opinion for advanced heart care, our cardiologists are ready to help. Your advanced heart care and surgery offerings may include heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support such as ventricular assist devices (VAD) to temporarily or permanently perform functions of the heart. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.