Heart Failure

The Facts
Because we have an aging population, heart failure is becoming more common and heart failure is the only cardiovascular condition that is increasing in the United States. About 5 million Americans have this condition, and about 550,000 new cases arise in the U.S. each year, according to the American Heart Association.

What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body's other organs. Although the term "heart failure" makes it sound like a sudden occurrence, heart function usually gets worse gradually, over several years.

Who Is At Risk?
Risk factors include:

  • Coronary artery disease (fatty deposits in the coronary arteries that slow or block blood flow to the heart)
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (greater than 140 mmHg systolic pressure or 90 mmHg diastolic pressure)
  • Smoking
  • Being overweight (a Body Mass Index higher than 25)
  • High levels of triglycerides (more than 200 mg/dL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol (more than 100 to 160 mg/dL, depending on other risk factors)
  • Low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL)
  • Excessive alcohol consumption (more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men)
  • Previous heart attack
  • Family history of heart failure
  • Diseased heart muscle or heart valves

What Can I Do?

  • Don't smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Aim for a healthy weight (a Body Mass Index lower than 25)
  • Reduce the amount of fat and salt in your diet
  • Be physically active each day for 30 to 60 minutes
  • Limit alcohol consumption - one drink per day for women and two for men
  • Lower high blood pressure, with medication if necessary
  • Control your diabetes

Why Choose UVa for Heart Failure Treatment?
Heart failure patients receive customized care through UVa's Heart Failure Program, which includes cardiologists who specialize in heart failure, cardiovascular surgeons, nurse practitioners, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, dietitians and social workers.

UVa has been named one of America's top 50 hospitals for heart care and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. UVa also has the only accredited Chest Pain Center in the region to assess and treat heart attacks.

Click to see how UVa performs against national quality standards for heart failure treatment.

Click here to find physicians at UVa who specialize in heart failure