Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1472735
IN 2017, THE American Heart Association predicted a significant increase in heart failure. According to their Jan. 25 news release, more than 8 million Americans would experience heart failure by the year 2030, up from approximately 6.2 million today. While those numbers do not look to be trending up at the rate the American Heart Association predicted, heart failure remains a significant threat. Of those with heart failure, many will die. According to the CDC, 1 in 8 American deaths is linked to heart failure. In 2018 alone, nearly 380,000 death certificates mentioned heart failure as a contrib- uting cause, and the chronic condition costs billions of dollars in hea lthcare expenses, missed work and prescription costs. However, appropriate treatment measures can significantly diminish the risk of death and threat of financial loss. "Mortality from heart failure is worse than cancer and creates a significant amount of cost in terms of health care," says Felix Oviasu, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP, board-certified cardiologist at Garden City Heart and Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology Board. "With adequate medical management, we can improve heart failure morbidity and mortality. Patients feel better, clinically present better and have reduced symptoms." To achieve positive results, physicians a nd patients must f irst ta ke appro- priate action. A s with most medica l conditions, the first step toward man- aging hea r t fa ilure is a discussion of troublesome symptoms with a primary or specialty provider. SUSPECTING HEART FAILURE Clinicians who suspect a patient is expe- riencing heart failure have an array of means to determine its presence. The first step to begin the diagnostic process is a thorough medical history. Topics to discuss with patients include existing medical conditions, family medical his- tory, any medication therapy currently prescribed and the patient's adherence to dosage and frequency recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Oviasu says, provid- ers ought to investigate any symptoms Felix Oviasu, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP, of Garden City Heart: Identification and Rectification of Heart Failure Improving in Today's Environment BY DANIEL K. BRANTLEY EFFECTIVE HE ART FAILURE TRE ATMENT RELIES ON E ARLY DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT OF COMORBIDITIES AND A R ANGE OF MEDICAL AND INTERVENTIONAL THER APIES. GARDEN CIT Y HE ART OFFERS FULL-SERVICE HE ART FAILURE CARE THAT BRIDGES THE HOSPITAL AND OUTPATIENT SE T TINGS. Felix Oviasu, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP, board-certified cardiologist at Garden City Heart, and a staff member monitor a patient during a tilt table test. The test is used to monitor how the patient's blood pressure, heart rhythm and heart rate respond to different table angles. 0 6❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E