Heart Failure Program at Northern Nevada Medical Group

Managing a diagnosis of heart failure may feel extremely daunting, especially at first. The Heart Failure Program at Nevada Medical Group is a collaborative effort between multiple specialties. We are dedicated to providing individualized treatment for heart failure patients in our community.

Heart health goes beyond simply treating the symptoms of heart failure. A heart failure specialist at Nevada Medical Group can help you improve your quality of life, while aiming to prevent heart attack. You and your physician will create an individualized plan to reduce risks of heart disease.

The team at Northern Nevada Group takes a holistic approach to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise plan to help maintain a healthy weight. These steps are an essential addition to your heart disease prevention plan. In addition to decreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease, your doctor will also closely monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. Both of these factors are leading signs of heart disease and stroke.

Your doctor will also take a holistic approach by tackling any other underlying health problems to help you achieve long term wellness. Awareness of symptoms and risks of heart attacks can help you manage your heart conditions.

Talk to your doctor today if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs or abdomen
• Unusual shortness of breath during physical activity or rest
• Inability to perform simple daily tasks, such as walking to the mailbox or grocery shopping, due to symptoms
• Weight gain of two pounds overnight or five pounds in one week

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure (HF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body, causing blood and fluid to collect in the lungs, fluid to collect in the feet, ankles and legs, and fatigue and shortness of breath. This may make it difficult to walk, climb stairs or carry groceries.

Fast facts about heart disease (according to the CDC):

• Heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in America, making it the leading cause of death.
• Approximately 6.2 million Americans suffer from heart failure.
• Every 36 seconds, one person dies in the United States from heart disease.
• Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. It affects about 18.2 million adults over 20 in the United States.

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Genetic history of heart disease
• Heavy use of tobacco products and/or alcohol

Heart Failure Causes

The causes of HF include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. HF is more common in people who have had a heart attack, people who are 65 and older and African Americans. Men are more likely to have HF than women, although women also develop it.

If you have HF, we will help you treat it. Many people lead full, enjoyable lives when the condition is managed with heart medications and healthy lifestyle changes.

Heart Failure Services

CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure Monitoring Device
Patients can have their pulmonary artery (PA) pressure monitored without leaving their home. Northern Nevada Medical Group uses the CardioMEMS™ heart failure system to remotely monitor pressure in the pulmonary artery. It is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device proven to reduce hospital admissions.

With the CardioMEMS™ HF System, a miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor is implanted in the pulmonary artery through a minimally invasive procedure. This enables patients to remotely transmit PA pressure readings to their physicians from the comfort of their own home.

Heart Failure Support Group

Our monthly Heart Failure Support Group is open to HF patients, caregivers, and members of the community. The group provides support and resources.

New patients can contact Northern Nevada Medical Group Cardiology at 775-356-4514 to enroll in the group.

Existing patients can contact our nurse coordinator, Janie Gomez, BSN at 775-352-5386.

Avoiding Hospital Readmission
Diagnostic services at Northern Nevada Medical Center help HF patients avoid multiple readmissions to the hospital. Patients receive one-on-one education support, regular phone calls from our team and healthy-living advice.