Congestive Heart Failure

    Overview

    Congestive Heart Failure

    Congestive heart failure, a condition which occurs as the heart weakens and can no longer pump blood as well as it should, can affect the left side, right side or both sides of the heart. Congestive heart failure does not mean a patient’s heart has stopped or failed, but rather that the heart has failed to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through it. Congestive heart failure requires immediate medical attention.

    A variety of conditions can cause congestive heart failure, including:

    • Coronary artery disease
    • High blood pressure
    • Diabetes
    • Heart attack

    Several treatments can improve the signs and symptoms of heart failure, helping patients live longer with a better quality of life. Exercise, dietary changes and stress management can also improve patients’ quality of life.

    Symptoms

    • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
    • Increased need to urinate at night
    • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
    • Rapid weight gain caused by fluid retention
    • Persistent coughing or wheezing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Swelling (edema) in feet, ankles, legs or abdomen
    • Tiredness or weakness

    Causes

    • Diet high in fat and sodium
    • Lack of physical activity
    • Smoking

    Care for Congestive Heart Failure at SIU Medicine

    SIU Medicine Cardiology treats patients with congestive heart failure using a variety of treatment options, including medications, dietary changes or surgery. Our goal is to find the root of your problem, slow disease progression, and relieve symptoms while improving your quality of life.

    Doctors may use a combination of therapies to manage congestive heart failure, including:

    • Angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that increases blood flow to the heart
    • Beta blockers, or medications that slow the heartrate, reduce the heart’s need for oxygen and improve the heart’s blood supply
    • Bypass surgery, which creates a new path for blood and oxygen to reach your heart
    • Implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD), a device for patients with or at risk for unstable heart rhythms
    • Lifestyle changes, including weight loss, regular exercise, stress reduction and dietary changes
    • Medications, including diuretics or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) inhibitors

    Patients may be prescribed additional heart medications, like nitrates for chest pain or a statin to lower cholesterol. Your cardiology team will work with you to find the best treatment plan.

    Our providers

    Profiles

    Ahmad Al Turk, MD

    Structural Heart Disease Specialist Cardiology, Internal Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Janet Albers, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Priyanka Bhandari, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Mukul Bhattarai, MD

    Cardiologist Cardiology
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Careyana Brenham, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Rexanne Caga-anan, MD

    Primary Care Physician Internal Medicine, General Internal Medicine
    751 N. Rutledge St. 1st Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Michal Dynda, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Tanner Eiben, DO

    Physician Family Medicine
    612 N. 11th St. Quincy, IL 62301
    Profiles

    John Flack, MD

    Internist, specializing in hypertension Internal Medicine
    751 N. Rutledge St. 1st Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Christopher Gleason, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Christopher Green, PHARMD

    Clinical Pharmacist Family Medicine
    102 W. Kenwood Ave. Decatur, IL 62526
    Profiles

    Kami Harless, MD

    Family Medicine
    Profiles

    Tomonao Hashimoto, MD

    Geriatrician Family Medicine
    319 E Madison St Suite 1F Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Curtis Johnston, DO

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Rachel Kim, MD

    Cardiac Surgeon Cardiothoracic Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Amanda Krus-Johnston, DO

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Abhishek Kulkarni, MD

    Cardiologist Cardiology
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Christopher Lawrance, MD

    Cardiac Surgeon Cardiothoracic Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Herman Leung, DO

    Physician Family Medicine
    612 N. 11th St. Quincy, IL 62301
    Profiles

    Nichole Mirocha, DO

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Ramzi Nicolas, MD

    Pediatric and Fetal Cardiologist Pediatrics
    400 N. 9th Street Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Rachel Rahman, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Eukesh Ranjit, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    319 E Madison St Suite 1F Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Gary Rull, MD

    Primary Care Physician Internal Medicine, General Internal Medicine
    751 N. Rutledge St. 1st Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Charlene Shallow, DNP, FNP-BC

    Nurse Practitioner Cardiology
    Profiles

    Momin Siddique, MD

    Cardiologist Cardiology
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Christopher Smyre, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    David Steward, MD

    Associate Dean for Community and Health and Service Internal Medicine
    751 N. Rutledge St. 1st Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Cynthia Thomas, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Andrew Varney, MD

    Primary Care Physician Internal Medicine, General Internal Medicine
    751 N. Rutledge St. 1st Floor Springfield, IL 62702

    Why SIU

    Continually learning

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