Care for Heart Failure

Two for one – Robert Flammer of Bethlehem, Pa., is enjoying the outdoors with his wife, Esther, again. During one surgery, his leaky heart valve was repaired and a Maze procedure was performed to correct his irregular heartbeat.

Our Center for Advanced Heart Failure is a new 12-bed unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. It is the only facility in the region under the medical direction of a heart failure specialist. The center’s physicians and nurses are specialists in treating the complex health issues associated with heart failure. As a patient in the center, you’ll be assessed frequently, receive the latest medication therapies and have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials that explore new and better ways to treat heart failure. Personalized education sessions also are provided to help you manage your illness at home.

Heart failure is a disease in which the heart muscle gets progressively weaker and becomes unable to pump effectively enough to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen. This condition often causes shortness of breath, tiredness, a persistent cough and swelling of the legs and feet. Heart failure becomes more common with age. You are at increased risk for developing heart failure if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or diabetes, smoke or abuse alcohol or had a previous heart attack. Although there is no cure, we can help you manage your heart failure to allow you to live an active life.

Diagnosis

We offer several tests to diagnose heart failure. Our experienced, knowledgeable and caring staff uses state-of-the-art technology and equipment for all of these tests: 

Treatment

If you need hospital care for heart failure, you’ll get the care you need at Lehigh Valley Health Network. We are the third largest heart program in Pennsylvania and are recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for heart care and heart surgery.

Heart failure is most often treated with medication, a healthy diet and exercise. However, these procedures may be used to correct the cause of your heart failure: 

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