Heart Failure

Mercy's Heart Failure Center is a comprehensive program that includes a team of doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers, counselors, financial planners and pharmacists that assists patients with managing a heart condition and improving quality of life, including:

Symptom Management, such as:

• Monitoring your weight
• Reducing the swelling in your legs and/or stomach
• Improving shortness of breath

Education:

• Diet
• Medications you are currently taking
• Activity
• Support services and resources that are available

Physical Assessment:

• Vital signs
• Assessing for and reviewing with you the signs and symptoms of a flare-up
• Heart and lung sounds

Individualized Care Plan:

• Provide you with access to a team of specialists to assist with improving your quality of life
• Discuss strategies and a treatment plan to assist you in decreasing hospital and emergency room visits

Discharge Care includes:

• Patient update sent to referring family doctor and/or cardiologist
• Schedule a follow-up clinic appointment in the Heart Failure Center
• Schedule a home visit within a week of discharge if desired

Heart Failure Center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A physician referral is required. For more information, contact Mercy Cardiology Clinic at (319) 832-2328.