Heart Failure Treatment

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a weakening of the heart's pumping power. With heart failure, your body doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrients to meet its needs. Your heart tries to pump more blood, but the muscle walls become weaker over time. The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 5 million Americans have congestive heart failure (CHF). Increasing hospitalizations have made CHF a major chronic condition in the United States. Furthermore, CHF is associated with chronic disability and high mortality.*

 Heart Failure Treatment at UNC Health Care

UNC Health Care follows the recommended procedures for care of patients who present with possible heart failure. The recommendations, also called indicators, are listed below.**

• HF-1 - Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Discharge Instructions
  Why is this recommended?
  The staff at the hospital should provide you with information to help you manage your heart failure symptoms when you are discharged.
• HF-2 - Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given an Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic (LVS) Function
  Why is this recommended?
  An evaluation of the LVS function checks how the left chamber of the heart is pumping.
• HF-3 - Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given ACE Inhibitor or ARB for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)
  Why is this recommended?
  ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat heart attacks, heart failure, or a decreased function of the heart.
• HF-4 - Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling
  Why is this recommended?
  Smoking is linked to heart failure. Quitting may help improve your condition.

*source: http://www.nchospitalquality.org/graphdate.lasso

**source: http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/Hospital/Static/About-HospQuality.asp dest=NAV|Home|About|QualityMeasures#WhatAreHospitalQM