Heart Failure Program
An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with heart failure (HF) right now – and about 675,000 new cases are being diagnosed each year. As the U.S. population ages, these numbers are expected to increase.
There is no cure for heart failure – but there are ways you (and your doctor) can control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Recent studies show that patients who participate in a structured heart failure program have fewer complications and hospitalizations than patients who don't opt to participate in a program. Learning how you can work with your doctor to manage your heart failure can make a big difference in your health.
Learn how you can take an active role in minimizing your risks for complications and hospitalizations due to heart failure by participating in Summa's Heart Failure Program.
How will this program help me?
Summa Cardiovascular Institute (SCI) offers a Heart Failure Program designed to improve your health by partnering with your primary care physician to offer extra support and ongoing monitoring of your heart failure status.
SCI’s Heart Failure Program is designed to:
- Assist you (and your family) in becoming active partners in your treatment by educating you on how to manage your heart failure
- Improve your quality of life and life expectancy
- Help you understand the importance of following your treatment plan, including medications, dietary restrictions, weight monitoring, physical activity and keeping follow-up appointments
- Increase your awareness and understanding of the symptoms of worsening heart failure – and help you know when and how to seek medical help – before a situation turns critical
- Reduce your emergency room visits and hospital admissions
What can I expect during visits?
Your initial visit to the SCI Heart Failure Clinic will last about 60 minutes and will include the following:
- Recording of your height, weight and vital signs
- Taking your medical history
- A physical exam performed by the cardiologist
- Review of your current medications
- Medications started or dosages changed as needed
- Labs and diagnostic tests ordered as needed
- Individualized heart failure education
- A six-minute walk test to assess your exercise capacity
- A screening for sleep apnea
- A Quality of Life Assessment
During your follow-up appointments at the SCI Heart Failure Clinic, you will be seen by an advanced practice nurse or a cardiologist. Your visit will last about 30 minutes and will include:
- Taking a focused cardiac history
- A physical exam
- Recording of weight and vital signs and a review of your weight log
- Medication dosages reviewed and adjusted as needed
- Lab tests and diagnostic tests ordered and reviewed as needed
- A depression screening (at three months)
- Ongoing individualized heart failure education
- Referrals to other specialists as needed
Family members are encouraged to accompany you on visits to the SCI Heart Failure Program so they, too, can learn about your condition and how they can help you stick to your treatment plan.
After you have visited the SCI Heart Failure Program, information about your care will be shared with your primary care physician.
How can I participate or learn more?
If you have been diagnosed with heart failure, talk to your doctor about getting a referral to see one of the cardiologists at the SCI Heart Failure Program, with two convenient locations in Summit and Portage counties:
- Summa Akron City Hospital in Akron
- Robinson Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Summa Health System, in Ravenna
If you wish to learn more about Summa's Heart Failure Program, call (800) 237-8662 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.