Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1472735
In addition to ACE i n h ibitors a nd beta blockers, other medica l therapy increases success rates of hea r t failure ma nagement. This includes a diuretic a nd more re c ent ly s o d iu m- g luc os e cot r a n spor t er 2 i n h ibit or s (SGLT2 i n h ibitors). Or i g i na l ly developed to a id in glycemic control a mong adults w it h T y pe 2 diabetes, SGLT2 in hib- it or s ea r ned F DA approva l i n 2020 a s a n additiona l method of ma nag ing hea r t fa ilure. For best results, Dr. Ovia su recom- mend s not a si n g le med icat ion , but rat her a jud icious m i x of t hese fou r approved medications. According to Dr. Ovia su, patients who ca n tolerate a combination of beta blockers, ACE i n h ibit or s , SGLT2 i n h ibit or s a nd a diuretic have a n increa sed likelihood of i mprovement i n t hei r hea r t fa i l- ure symptoms. LIVING WITH HEART FAILURE Heart failure is rarely curable. Treatment aims to address symptoms. With appro- priate therapy, the patient experiences relief from troublesome symptoms, and as symptoms are reduced or eliminated, the individual can enjoy a full life that includes proper heart failure management. "Most of the time, treatment is suc- cessful, and the patient feels better," Dr. Oviasu says. T h i s i mpr ovement i s dep endent upon the initial symptoms. Those with leg swelling experience a reduction in swelling. Breathing becomes easier, which empowers the patient to walk longer dis- tances without shortness of breath. The patient can often re-engage in activities of daily living that were once set aside as too demanding due to breathing difficulties or a lack of energy. Chest pain is reduced. Patients can again lie flat on their backs without struggling to breathe. These improvements occur a s the patient's ejection fraction increases. As their ejection fraction nears the 50% goal, patients experience renewed energ y. For some, this is the first bit of normalcy they have ex perienced in months or even years — all because of proper heart failure management. OUTPATIENT, INPATIENT CARE In most ca ses, hea r t fa i lure patients receive treatment in a n outpatient set- ting. At Ga rden Cit y Hea r t, Dr. Oviasu dia g noses a patient 's hea r t condition a nd then prescribes medication. The patient then returns home a nd self-ad- ministers the medication. Dr. Ovia su provides ongoing oversight in collabora- tion with the patient 's family physician. Shou ld a more i nva sive treatment become neces sa r y, i npat ient i nt er- vent ion is ava i lable. Dr. O v ia su ha s admit ting priv i leges at Long Isla nd's major hea r t hospita ls, a l low ing him to admit patients to the facilit y that is best able to meet their specif ic needs. Inpatient procedures for heart failure may include ca rdiac cat heterization a nd a n g iog raphy, wh ich Dr. O v ia su per forms. Severe ca ses may indicate a need for hea r t tra nspla nt or ot her s i g n i f i c a nt s u r g i c a l i nt e r v e nt i on . Through Ga rden Cit y Hea r t, patients tra nsition sea m lessly t hrough ever y aspect of their ca re. "I have access to excellent loca l sur- geons [who perform] corona r y by pass surgery, va lvular surgery, and electrica l studies or inter ventions," Dr. Ov ia su says. "[By pa r tnering with these other ex per t s], I ca n g uide patient s to t he optima l result for their heart failure." ■ Fo r m o re i nfo r m a t i o n , pl e a s e v i s it gardencityheart.com . Dr. Oviasu with some members of his staff at Garden City Heart. Dr. Oviasu has cared for patients on Long Island at his Garden City location for more than 30 years. P R I V I L EG E D A D M I S S I O N S W H E N H E A R T FA I L U R E requires more than lifestyle modifications and medication therapy, inpatient hospital care may be necessary. Fortunately, Felix Oviasu, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP, board-certified cardiologist at Garden City Heart, Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology Board, has admitting privileges at two of the area's most respected hospitals for heart care — St. Francis Hospital & Heart in Roslyn, New York, and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. 1 0❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E