Heart Failure

Peachstate Advanced Cardiac & Endovascular

Board Certified Interventional Cardiologists & Vascular Specialists and team serving in Atlanta, Fayetteville, Griffin, LaGrange, Newnan, GA and surrounding communities

While a diagnosis of heart failure may sound frightening, the condition is treatable with a personalized care plan that supports your heart’s function. Dr. Odiete is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and vascular specialist who provides expert care for heart failure at PACE. If you’re at risk of heart failure or experiencing any symptoms, contact us today.

Heart Failure Q & A

What is heart failure?

Heart failure occurs when your heart can’t pump blood efficiently. As a result, your body doesn’t receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs. The most common type of heart failure is left-sided, meaning the left ventricle — your heart’s primary pumping chamber — loses its ability to pump blood effectively.

There are two types of left-sided heart failure:

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

HFrEF occurs when your left ventricle doesn’t pump blood well, while HFpEF means your ventricle can’t relax and fill with enough blood.

You may also experience right-sided heart failure, which usually occurs when left-sided heart failure worsens and affects the right side of your heart.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

Heart failure can be a chronic or sudden condition. In either case, symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Persistent cough or wheezing
Increased need to urinate at night
Swelling in your abdomen
Sudden weight gain
Lack of appetite
Difficulty concentrating

Without proper treatment, heart failure can worsen and lead to severe complications, such as kidney damage or heart valve problems.

What causes heart failure?

Many conditions can damage your heart muscle and lead to heart failure. The most common include:

Coronary artery disease
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Faulty heart valves
Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
Heart arrhythmias
Diabetes
Congenital heart defects
Sleep apnea

Other causes may include alcohol abuse, some cancer treatments, viral infections, and certain medications.

How is heart failure treated?

At PACE, Dr. Odiete takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to treating heart failure. Depending on the severity of your condition, your treatment may include:

Medications

Certain medications can help lower your blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce your heart’s workload. These may include:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Beta blockers
Diuretics
Aldosterone antagonists

Implantable devices

If medications aren’t enough, you may need a device implanted to support your heart function, such as:

Pacemaker
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device

Lifestyle changes

Making healthy lifestyle changes is also essential to managing heart failure. Dr. Odiete may recommend:

Reducing sodium in your diet
Monitoring your weight daily
Exercising regularly
Limiting fluid intake
Quitting smoking
Limiting alcohol

Heart failure requires ongoing care. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Odiete at PACE to receive expert support and long-term management of your heart health.

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