Heart failure specialist Dr. Huston talks with a male patient at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart in Nashville, TN.

Advanced care for heart failure in Middle Tennessee

See what makes Ascension Saint Thomas Heart in Middle Tennessee, a regional leader in advanced heart care.

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, relieve symptoms and prevent more serious disease. Heart specialists at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating heart failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and having swollen ankles, legs or stomach.

When you choose Ascension Saint Thomas Heart, you can have confidence knowing your care team is one of the most experienced teams in the country. Our nationally recognized cardiac team cares for more adult hearts than anyone in the state, offering the largest network of cardiologists with 45 locations. You get cardiologists and surgeons trained in the latest testing, treatment and advanced surgical procedures. Your care is personalized to your stage or heart failure and needs - our team provides state-of-the-art medical therapies, standard and minimally invasive procedures, VAD and heart transplant. Your doctor also connects the dots for your care -- including connecting you to heart screenings and the right cardiovascular specialists. As part of a national care team, 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.

An accurate diagnosis helps your doctor tailor your care. To diagnose heart failure, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

  • Cardiac MRI
  • Cardiac nuclear imaging
  • Echocardiogram (TTE)
  • Exercise stress testing
  • Stress echocardiograms
  • Transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE)

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.

With leading technologies and advanced treatment options, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart delivers personalized care at every stage of heart failure, including:

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Heart transplant
  • Medical management including remote patient monitoring
  • Medication therapies
  • Remote hemodynamic monitoring and telehealth
  • Total artificial heart
  • Ventricular assist devices (VAD)

Your nurses have specialized training in heart failure management and also provide classes and support programs for you and your family.

Clinical trials for advanced heart failure

Cardiologists at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart are part of a national team of specialists, surgeons and care teams trained in the latest heart care testing, treatment and procedures. And, our doctors also participate in clinical trials for ventricular assist devices (VAD) and transplants. These research studies may help provide you with more advanced treatment options. To learn about our cardiovascular clinical trials, talk to our advanced heart failure doctors and cardiac transplant coordinator.

Call - 888-655-5823

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 Saint Thomas 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), transcatheter mitral valve repair, 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.

GET A SECOND OPINION

Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Failure Clinic locations

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.

Working together to heal your heart

Dr. John Biglane shares how the heart care team at Ascension Saint Thomas work together for our patients.