Conditions & Symptoms

When patients have problems with congestive heart failure, angina, or heart attack, they trust Cardiovascular Medicine to help them heal.

Clinical Cardiology

We service all major cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions as well as offering diagnostic imaging, ongoing and chronic care, and long-term condition management. You can see cardiovascular specialists at both our Moline and Davenport locations.
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Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics

Our range of cardiac diagnostic tests can provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your healthcare.
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Electrophysiology

Our care center provides a full spectrum of electrophysiology care, from diagnosis to treatment and management of your condition.
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Invasive & Interventional Cardiology

We are leaders in providing invasive cardiology treatments that relieve your symptoms and lower your risk of complications from heart disease.
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Vein & Vascular Care

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care.
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Procedural Lab
(In-Office)

Our procedural lab is state-of-the-art, featuring one of the most technologically advanced vascular imaging systems available in an office setting.
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Preventive Services

As the best line of defense against heart disease, our clinic specializes in preventive care, including advanced cardiac imaging, risk intervention, and personalized treatment planning.
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CVM Locations

Explore the map below to see location options and find the clinic most convenient for you!
Conditions:

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a common condition, affecting nearly 6 million Americans. The condition occurs when your heart is unable to pump blood as well as it should. As a result, blood flow stagnates and fluid may build up in your lungs. Over time, this can cause organ damage. If left untreated, heart failure can lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrest.

Causes and Symptoms of Heart Failure

Heart failure is a chronic condition that can have various causes. It often results from diseases that damage, weaken, or stiffen the heart muscles. These conditions may include:

  • Coronary artery disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Damaged heart valves
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
  • Congenital heart disease
If you are experiencing symptoms of heart failure, it’s important to get evaluated by your doctor. Heart failure is a serious condition, but it can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.

 

Heart Failure Treatments

Heart failure is a serious disease that typically requires lifelong treatment. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that improves your symptoms and your quality of life. The right heart failure treatments for you will depend on the severity of your disease. 

Heart failure treatments can range from making lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt and limiting fluid intake, to having a procedure, such as a defibrillator or a pacemaker implantation.

For most people, heart failure treatment involves a balance of the right medications, lifestyle modification, and regular medical management.

Recovery

Your recovery time will vary based on which procedure you have.

After coronary angioplasty with stent insertion, you should be able to resume most normal activity after a week. Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting until you feel completely better.

For an ICD implantation, you should refrain from heavy lifting and vigorous activity in the month after the procedure. Avoid putting pressure on the implantation site.

There are many types of heart valve repair and replacement. Your recovery period will depend on which type of heart valve surgery you get. It is typically around 4-8 weeks. Your doctor will let you know when you're able to return to your normal activities.

More on Heart Failure

Symptoms of Heart Failure

As heart failure has various stages, symptoms can range depending on the severity of your disease. They may evolve over time. Symptoms of heart failure include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent cough or wheezing 
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Reduced ability to exercise
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
  • Swelling of the abdomen

Tests Used to Diagnose Heart Failure

There are several tests we may use to diagnose heart failure. They include:

  • Blood test: If you’re experiencing heart failure, there are certain markers that will show up the results.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart and can show abnormalities.  
  • Echocardiogram: This ultrasound scan uses sound waves to examine your heart.

Medications to Control Symptoms of Heart Failure

We may also prescribe medications to control your symptoms, which can include:

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These drugs relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to decrease the strain on your heart.
  • Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Although they provide many of the same benefits, these drugs may be an option for people who can't tolerate ACE inhibitors.
  • Beta blockers: Beta blockers may reduce signs and symptoms of heart failure and improve your heart’s function by slowing your heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
  • Diuretics. Often called water pills, diuretics keep fluid from collecting in your body. They will make you urinate more often and can also decrease fluid in your lungs so you can breathe more easily.
  • Blood Thinners: These medications prevent blood clots from forming. They do not break up clots that you already have.

Procedures to Reduce the Risk of Heart Failure

A procedure may be necessary to help improve your heart’s functioning. Which one is right for you will depend on what underlying conditions are causing your heart failure. We may suggest one or more of the following procedures to reduce your risk of future complications:

  • Coronary angioplasty with stent insertion: This minimally-invasive procedure balloon catheter to open up your arteries to improve blood flow. Placing a stent helps your artery stay open.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery: In this surgery, we use a blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new path so blood can flow to your heart. It is usually reserved for those with several severely blocked arteries.
  • Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) monitors your heart and sends an electric shock to stabilize your heart rate when needed.
  • Heart valve repair or replacement: When a diseased heart valve is causing your heart failure, we may suggest heart valve repair or replacement surgery.

Meet Your Illinois and Iowa
Cardiovascular Physicians

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care. We hire and empower the best cardiovascular doctors in the nation right here in the Heartland.

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