Heart failure care

If you have heart failure, you’re not alone. More than 6 million Americans live with this chronic condition, also known as congestive heart failure. It can make everyday activities challenging, but many people are able to manage heart failure and lead fulfilling lives with the right care, treatments, lifestyle changes, and support from an experienced team.

At Penn Medicine, we believe heart failure can become heart success! Our heart failure program is nationally recognized for its expertise in treating every stage and type of heart failure. We provide comprehensive care, from early prevention strategies to advanced treatments for late-stage heart failure.

Several Penn Medicine hospitals have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Heart Failure. The American Heart Association has recognized Penn Medicine hospitals for excellence in implementing the Get With The Guidelines® Program to improve quality in heart failure care. These certifications reflect our commitment to high patient care standards.

When you come to us for heart failure care, we create a management plan tailored to your unique needs. Our team provides you with compassionate support and guidance every step of the way, helping you manage your condition and maintain a good quality of life.

We also provide:

• Evidence-based care for heart failure: We make sure you receive the most appropriate treatment based on the latest research and scientific evidence. Our focus is on speeding recovery, improving quality of life, and reducing hospitalizations.
• Multidisciplinary team approach: A team-based approach is key to heart failure care, with specialists such as physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, dieticians, home care providers, and others working together.
• Self-care and lifestyle plans: Together, we develop your self-care and lifestyle plan, helping you gain confidence in managing symptoms, eating healthy, exercising, and reaching out to your care providers when needed.
• Education and home tools: We offer education throughout your hospital stay and after discharge. We also recommend tools you can use at home like bathroom scales, blood pressure monitors, pill organizers, low-salt cookbooks, and salt-free seasoning options.

Whether you’re just learning about the condition, exploring potential genetic risks, or living with heart failure long-term, our team is here to guide you. We help those managing the condition continue to work and enjoy their daily lives, while also supporting those who may need heart transplantation or other surgeries.

We’re also known for:

• A team of experts: Our board-certified doctors have completed fellowships at top academic medical centers nationwide. All our physicians have heart transplant experience and meet regularly with experts at Penn Medicine’s transplant team to plan and coordinate care for advanced heart failure patients.
• Excellent outcomes: Thorough and effective heart failure care aims to keep you out of the hospital. We’re proud to be nationally recognized for having one of the lowest hospital readmission rates for heart failure in the nation.
• A vast network of specialists: Access any cardiology specialist you need, including imaging experts, genetic counselors, specialized surgeons, and the heart transplant team. We consult with other Penn Medicine specialists to manage all your medical issues for seamless coordinated care.
• Advanced research: Our heart failure specialists are also researchers seeking new ways to treat heart failure through clinical trials. This involvement means you have access to the latest treatments before they’re widely available.
• One of the only hybrid ORs in the region: Our interventional cardiologists and surgeons work together in a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room (OR). These specialized ORs have the technology to perform both minimally invasive and open-heart surgeries at the same time.
• Life-saving medical technology: When needed, we perform high-risk heart surgeries for heart failure and provide mechanical circulatory support (MCS) afterward to help ensure a smooth recovery. We offer a full range of MCS options, like ventricular assist devices (VADs) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), for those with severe heart failure.