Overview
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle becomes weak or when it becomes too stiff to properly pump blood to the rest of the body. This can occur due to multiple causes including but not limited to coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, scarring of the heart due to other causes such as infection or genetics, and the effect of drugs.
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
The symptoms of heart failure may include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and swelling.
How is heart failure diagnosed?
Heart failure is diagnosed based on the history, physical exam, ECG/EKG, and the results of cardiac testing such as an echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and cardiac catheterization. Heart failure is diagnosed based on the history, physical exam, ECG/EKG, and the results of cardiac testing such as an echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and cardiac catheterization.
When does heart failure require implantable cardiac device therapy?
If heart failure is severe enough, the heart can be at an increased risk for developing dangerous heart rhythms. In this case, implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator may be required. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a device that is implanted within the heart and has the ability to treat and shock dangerous heart rhythms to help restore a normal rhythm. In certain degrees/types of heart failure, implantation of a biventricular device or a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) device may be considered; the aim of these devices is to help improve the heart’s pumping function.
Contact Us
To make an appointment with our Hannibal Regional cardiac electrophysiologist, please call (573) 629-3500.
Our Cardiac Electrophysiologist
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