The primary goal of the Heart Failure Center at the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute is to improve and maintain the optimal quality of life for patients with heart failure. We ensure a complete diagnosis of your condition, provide appropriate treatment and medication plans, assist with lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise and minimize the need for hospitalization and emergency department care.

What is Heart Failure?
The term heart failure simply means that the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should. Heart failure does not mean imminent loss of life, that your heart has stopped, or even that you are having a heart attack. It simply means that your heart is not working as well as it should. Heart failure can make it more difficult for you to do things that may have been easy for you in the past.

More information on Heart Failure.

Treatment Heart failure is a condition that usually cannot be cured and must be treated and managed over a lifetime. Our goals for treatment are to: Treat the underlying cause of your heart failure Improve your symptoms and quality of life Stop your heart failure from getting worse Prolong your life span

Patient Fran Daughtry chats with Suzy Webber, Nurse Practitioner

The Heart Failure Center at Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute will continue to treat the underlying diseases or conditions (such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes) that caused heart failure. Our treatment for heart failure includes: 

• Lifestyle changes 
• Medications 
• Specialized care for those in the most advanced stage

Your A.W.S.E.M. Responsibilities
The Heart Failure Center, using nationally-recognized guidelines, has developed a treatment plan that covers five key areas:

• Activity - One of the most important ways that people with heart failure can maintain a sense of well being is to keep active. Activity, including exercise, work and sex is healthy and safe for most people. The key to becoming more active is to start slowly.
• Weight Monitoring - Sudden weight gain can be an early sign of fluid build up. Weigh daily. Record, compare and keep track of your weight.
• Symptoms - When you recognize and monitor your symptoms, you can notify your health care providers of any changes, and they can adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
• Eating Healthy - At the same time that you’re limiting salt, fluids, and alcohol in your diet, you can be adding healthy foods for balance. 
• Medication - Your doctor uses medications to balance your heart workload and help you feel better. Some medications may prevent your condition from getting worse.

Support, Services, Classes
After being diagnosed, some of the feelings that you may experience from time to time include anger, fear, sadness or feeling overwhelmed. Family members can help by learning about heart failure and by supporting efforts to follow your treatment plan.

The Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute also helps by providing a series of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation classes. There are ongoing support groups and periodic informational seminars for heart patients and their families.

Other Programs Offered
The Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute also offers programs on tobacco cessation, weight management, and maintaining proper diet and nutrition. For a complete listing of classes, times and locations, visit www.ohvi.org/classes or call 541-222-2789.

Heart Failure Center
3311 RiverBend Drive, Springfield, OR 97477
(541) 222-2789
(888) 240-6484 toll free
www.ohvi.org 

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