Treatment for Heart Failure and Hypertension

Anything that damages your heart or affects how well it pumps can lead to heart failure. Common causes of heart failure are valvular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack and coronary artery disease. In younger patients, heart failure is often caused by myocarditis — an inflammatory response commonly brought about by a viral illness.

Heart failure usually gets worse over time. But treatment can slow the progression — and help you feel better and live longer.

Expert, Compassionate Care for Heart Failure

Our team of cardiologists and nurse practitioners work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care and maximize our patients’ quality of life.

We offer the most advanced care for heart failure. In some cases, this includes monitoring procedures to expertly diagnose your condition and determine the best treatment plan for your health.

For patients who are critically ill, we offer:

●      Evaluation for mechanical circulatory support or transplant 

●      Inpatient consultation for complicated heart failure, perioperative management, high-risk conventional cardiac surgery and cardiac obstetrical care

●      Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support

●      End-of-life management and palliative care for patients with unresponsive symptoms and limited life expectancy

Ventricular device therapy: Some patients need assistance for their heart to pump adequate blood. This can occur because of advanced heart failure or, occasionally, after a heart attack or open-heart surgery.

Our center provides expert care in implanting and managing a ventricular assist device (often called VAD).

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing: We offer a test to identify patients most at risk for advanced heart failure and those who would benefit from resynchronization therapy. We then determine whether the cause of a patient’s difficulty breathing is heart based or lung based.

Outpatient management: We offer various services to help our patients improve their quality of life. These services include intensive nutritional/dietary counseling and weekly telephone calls with a nurse practitioner trained in heart failure management.

Specialized, Personalized Care for Heart Failure

Pulmonary hypertension (often called PH) is a type of high blood pressure in the lung vessels. This condition affects the arteries in the lungs and right side of the heart, making it harder for your heart to pump oxygen-rich blood.

The most common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:

●      Shortness of breath

●      Difficulty exercising

●      Chest pain

●      Near or complete fainting

●      Right-sided heart failure symptoms, including edema (swelling in the ankles and legs) and ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

There are several types of PH. Some are more serious and can become life-threatening. For all pulmonary hypertension patients, early diagnosis and treatment by expert cardiologists can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life, and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular conditions.

The cardiologists at Weill Cornell Medicine Pulmonary Hypertension Service at the Perkin Center for Heart Failure specialize in diagnosing PH and creating effective treatment plans personalized to each patient’s specific needs.

Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis and Therapy

The early diagnosis, treatment and long-term care of patients with pulmonary hypertension require a team approach with physicians, nurse practitioners, dieticians, physical therapists and social workers. This collaborative approach maximizes our patients’ long-term well-being.

Patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension will receive a variety of tests to correctly diagnose the condition. Our cardiologists use the most advanced imaging and diagnostic technology available. Our team specializes in cardiac catheterization— the best standard for diagnosing this complex disease.

At Weill Cornell Medicine, we create multidisciplinary treatment plans that help you achieve your unique goals and best possible health. Treatment options include:

●      Medications

●      Exercise recommendations

●      Oxygen when necessary

●      Surgery, including minimally invasive surgery 

Our team also treats any related conditions — such as sleep apnea or lupus — and collaborates with other specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine as necessary.