Heart Failure

With comprehensive, expert care you can manage your heart failure for a better life

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, can happen for many reasons. The most common cause is due to damage to the heart from heart disease. Heart failure happens when your heart is too weak to pump enough blood to your body’s organs. Your body’s organs need oxygen-rich blood to work properly. Because your heart is not working the way it should, heart failure often causes fluid to build up most often in the lungs, belly (making you feel bloated), legs and feet.

There are two types of heart failure:

  • Systolic heart failure – This happens when your heart cannot pump with enough force to push the needed amount of blood to your body. Blood coming into your heart may back up causing fluid to leak into your lungs. This is called pulmonary (lung) congestion
  • Diastolic heart failure – This happens when your heart muscle becomes stiff and unable to relax causing fluid to build up in your feet, ankles, legs and sometimes the lungs

Heart Failure Symptoms

  • Loss of appetite
  • Sudden, unexplained weight gain
  • Shortness of breath during daily activities or while resting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Frequent, dry cough
  • Waking up during the night with breathing trouble
  • Tired, run-down feeling
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers
  • Feeling sick to your stomach, belly soreness, swelling and pain

Symptoms for each person can vary – you may have only one symptom or many symptoms. If you have symptoms for more than five-seven days, call your doctor or see a heart doctor for an evaluation. The sooner heart failure is identified, the better.

Trust Bryan for Your Heart Failure Care


The most comprehensive and advanced heart failure care in the region

  • A dedicated advanced heart failure team provides care and guidance as symptoms progress and more aggressive treatments are needed
  • Inpatient hospital care at Bryan Medical Center with specially trained nurse navigators who teach you about your condition and how to manage it
  • Outpatient follow-up care with our Bryan Heart Improvement Program (BHIP) provides ongoing follow-up care with nurses available to you for any questions or concerns you have
  • Clinical research trials give you access to treatments not available to others in our area

Proven advanced technologies

  • CardioMEMS to easily and effectively monitor your heart
  • Biventricular Implantable Defibrillator – the first in the nation to offer this treatment for heart failure patients
  • Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD)
    • Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) is an implanted mechanical device that supports the failing left side of the heart
    • Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD) is a temporary mechanical device that supports the right side of the heart during severe illnesses

Personalized care

  • Expert doctors, advanced practice providers and nurses will create your personal care plan, educate and encourage you to manage your condition, provide specialized follow-up care and are always available to respond to your needs

Excellent care

  • Bryan heart failure patients are consistently below the national average for hospital readmissions due to our comprehensive, quality care
  • Named one of U.S. News & World Report’s High Performing Hospitals

Diagnosing and Treating Your Heart Failure

Heart failure is diagnosed with an echocardiogram, stress or blood tests. Heart failure cannot be cured, but with proper treatment you can manage your heart failure to improve how you feel and your ability to enjoy daily activities.

Treatment includes taking medications, monitoring your fluid levels, and lifestyle changes to improve your health and reduce fluid build-up, such as exercise, stopping smoking, and lowering salt intake.

Heart Failure Clinic

Our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors and nurses at our specialized heart failure clinic provide:

  • Expertise to determine the best medications for you
  • Education, support and encouragement for lifestyle changes you need
  • Constant monitoring to manage your heart failure condition

Advanced Treatment Options for Heart Failure

Bryan offers advanced treatment options for heart failure patients whose condition cannot be managed through medications and lifestyle changes. These advanced treatment options include:

  • Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
  • Biventricular Pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy)
  • Heart valve surgery
  • TAVR
  • Additional medications
  • Clinical research trials
  • LVAD (left ventricular assist device)