Heart Failure Care
North Mississippi Medical Center treats patients with congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart has a hard time pumping the blood through the body. Because of this pumping problem, fluid can build up in your feet, legs, stomach and lungs.
NMMC's Congestive Heart Failure Program improves your quality of life by reducing symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fluid retention, fatigue and weakness, and educates you about how to better manage your condition.
Hospital patients receive education and medical intervention, as well as necessary IV medications. Outpatients receive further education, infusion services, nutrition and medication counseling, an exercise program and telephone follow-up. Homebound patients can also benefit from the program through NMMC's Home Health Agency.
Causes of Congestive Heart Failure
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Heart valve problems
- Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels
- Defects in the heart present at birth
- Infections of the heart muscle and/or heart valves
- Severe lung disease
- Severe anemia (low blood count)
- Abnormal heart beats
Signs & Symptoms to Report
- Swelling in feet, ankles and legs
- Stomach swelling, nausea, pain and tenderness
- Weight gain of 2-3 pounds overnight or 3-5 pounds in one week
- Increased shortness of breath
- Decreased urination
- Increased weakness and feeling tired
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Feeling restless or confused
- Irregular (skipping) or increased heart rate
- Dry hacking cough not associated with symptoms of a cold
Advanced Treatment
NMMC cardiologists were among the first in the nation to use cardiac resynchronization therapy, a treatment for heart failure that uses an implantable device to improve the heart’s pumping capacity.
NMMC cardiologists also use the Impella, a powerful pump that replicates the heart’s natural function, continuously uploading the left ventricle and propelling blood into the ascending aorta during risky catheterization procedures. This temporary device improves blood perfusion to the heart and other organs.
NMMC offers aquapheresis, a procedure that manually pulls excess fluid from the heart and lungs to improve symptoms more quickly than using medication alone.
