Heart Failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a disorder in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. The term "heart failure" should not be confused with cardiac arrest, a situation in which the heart actually stops beating.
Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly. This condition may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.
As the heart's pumping action is lost, blood may back up into other areas of the body:
- The liver
- The gastrointestinal tract and extremities (right-sided heart failure)
- The lungs (left-sided heart failure)
At the Heart Center, a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, and support personnel work to identify the best treatment for each patient. Each patient is evaluated fully, and in collaboration with the patient, the patient's family, and the patient's referring physician, a plan of action is recommended. Most patients with heart failure can be stabilized temporarily. For those who cannot, cardiac transplantation may be an option. Our protocols have been developed not only to provide the best possible patient care and outcomes, but also to be cost-effective.
Learn more about heart failure and the Heart Center of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.