Each year, millions of Americans face the challenges of heart failure, including shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling. But take heart: Advancements in treatment and care can keep you living the life you love.
This Heart Month, we take a closer look at the work being done at AdventHealth Pepin Heart Institute to empower heart failure patients and improve outcomes. With a dedicated heart failure unit, specialized care teams and a commitment to education, we’re transforming how heart failure is managed and treated.
Understanding Heart Failure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates heart failure affects 6.7 million adults in the United States, and its prevalence continues to rise. It’s also a leading cause of why people go to the hospital, with more than 1 million heart failure-related hospital visits every year in the U.S. alone.
With so much at stake, it’s important to understand this heart condition and to recognize the signs. Heart failure, also sometimes called congestive heart failure, develops when your heart can’t pump blood efficiently. And that means there isn’t enough blood flow to support your body’s needs.
People often don’t suspect they have heart failure even though they have all the classic signs, mostly because the condition shares symptoms with many other health conditions.
Heart failure symptoms can include:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling tired and weak most of the time
- Pronounced swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or while lying down
Many things can raise your risk for heart failure, from your family history to lifestyle choices; Some of which is in your control and some that isn’t.
According to the National Institute of Health, your risk increases:
- As you age (especially after age 65)
- If you are African American
- If you have a family history of heart failure
- If you have heart or blood vessel conditions, serious lung disease or infections
- With unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, poor diet, drug and alcohol misuse or lack of physical activity
AdventHealth Tampa’s Heart Failure Program
At the center of our program is a multidisciplinary team of experts committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care. By combining leading-edge technology and innovative therapies, we aim to improve both your quality of life and long-term outcomes.
“The heart failure unit enables us to provide unparalleled care,” says cardiologist JaMia Washington-Osunsanmi, MD. “From the moment patients arrive, they’re supported by a team that understands the complexities of the condition and is equipped to deliver the best possible outcomes.”
Our heart failure unit also features specialized equipment to monitor heart function, assess fluid levels and detect early signs of complications so you get the best treatment right when you need it.
Empowering Patients Through Education
An important part of our approach to heart failure care is patient education. That’s why our education programs cover topics ranging from understanding heart failure and dietary guidance to making lifestyle changes and managing symptoms.
“We consider it a critical component of what we do,” Dr. Washington-Osunsanmi says. “We don’t just treat the condition. We ensure our patients understand it and know how to manage it. We believe that informed patients are empowered patients, capable of actively participating in their care and making choices that support their health.”
A Focus on Whole-Hearted Care
We know that heart failure doesn’t just affect your heart; it impacts every aspect of your life. That’s why your care team will include cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists and social workers — all working together to create a treatment plan that’s just right for you. This team approach ensures you get the support you need to overcome challenges, regain your independence and enjoy a better quality of life.
“The difference we make in patients’ lives is what drives us every day,” says Dr. Washington-Osunsanmi. “Seeing our patients reclaim their lives is the ultimate reward.”
Take Control of Your Heart
Heart Month is the perfect time to focus on your heart health and take proactive steps to protect it. Whether you’re managing heart failure, or you’re simply looking to prevent it, AdventHealth Tampa is here to support you every step of the way. Explore our heart failure program and discover how you can lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward better heart health.
JaMia Washington-Osunsanmi, MD, is fellowship-trained in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology and has board certification in internal medicine. She treats the full spectrum of cardiac disorders using comprehensive care and innovative technology. She has additional training in heart failure, including medical and device therapy, heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support.
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