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Heart Failure Clinic

Heart Failure Clinic in Westmoreland County

If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, even the term may sound shocking. It doesn't mean, however, that your heart "failed" or stopped. It means that the heart can't pump properly to meet your body's needs.

At the Excela Heart Failure Clinic, we can help you manage your heart failure through a comprehensive approach. Additionally, we are an educational resource to lessen or prevent hospital readmission and increase your understanding of heart failure - including the disease process, diet, medications, and symptoms - to improve your quality of life.

Our Team

In our outpatient clinic, our board certified cardiologists have extensive knowledge and expertise in treating heart failure and work with a certified nurse practitioner, clinical pharmacist, registered nurse navigator, and patient care technician, all trained in heart failure management and treatment, to provide your care.

Our Goals

  • To treat your symptoms actively
  • To decrease emergency department visits
  • To minimize hospitalizations and readmissions

Your Appointment

We want you to become an active participant in managing your health. At your appointment, we:

  • Review symptoms and medications
  • Provide education so you fully understand your disease and process
  • Coordinate care with other departments if needed including cardiac rehabilitation, home health, dietary, or your preferred pharmacy
  • We keep your primary care doctor and/or cardiologist informed about your clinic visits, which are meant to complement the care they provide, not replace it.

Know Your Zones

GREEN – ALL CLEAR – This zone is your goal

Your symptoms are under control. You have:

  • No shortness of breath
  • No weight gain of more than 2 pounds
  • No swelling of your feet, ankles, hands, or stomach
  • No chest pain

YELLOW – CAUTION – This zone is a warning

Call your doctor’s office if:

  • You have a weight gain of 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in one week
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling of feet, ankles, hands, or stomach
  • Feeling tired, no energy
  • Dry, “hacky” cough
  • New or increased chest pain
  • Feeling uneasy and you know something is not right
  • It is more difficult for you to breathe when lying down or sleep sitting in a chair.

RED – EMERGENCY – This zone is critical

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain
  • Confusion or cannot think clearly
  • Struggling to breathe

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with heart failure and are interested in learning more about the Heart Failure Clinic at Excela Health's Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute, please call 724-689-1357 to request an appointment.

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