Saint Joseph's Heart Failure Center

In 2004, Saint Joseph’s established the most comprehensive Heart Failure Clinic/Center in Atlanta.  The primary goal of the Institute’s Cardiac Heart Failure Center (HFC) is to keep heart failure patients out of the hospital.  Toward that end, the HVI’s Heart Failure Center -Atlanta’s most comprehensive -  offers:

• Extensive cardiac  monitoring
• Lab work
• Bioimpedence analysis
• Fluid status check
• IV therapy
• External counter pulsation

In many cases, physicians choose to refer patients directly to the Heart Failure Center rather than the emergency department, for rapid treatment and evaluation.  Referring physicians direct all patient care plans, and receive timely clinical data and analysis from staff. Please see the list of medical advisors below.

Medical Advisors

• Amol Bapat, MD, Cardiovascular Physicians of North Atlanta, PC
  
• Van-Thomas Crisco, MD, Northside Cardiology, PC
  
• Donald Jansen, MD, Cardiovascular Specialists, PC
  
• David Shonkoff, MD, Cardiovascular Group, PC
  
• Narendra Singh, MD, Northside Cardiology, PC
  

Heart Failure University

For patients with chronic heart failure, education and understanding can be powerful adjunct therapy.  Heart Failure University, part of Saint Joseph’s Heart Failure Center, offers a six-week program ideal for patients:

• Newly-diagnosed with heart failure
• Being discharged
• Who have had multiple admissions for heart failure

During the initial visit, each patient is screened for sleep apnea, anemia and thyroid disorders.  Followed in a classroom setting, patients learn:

• Behavior modification, as it relates to daily weight monitoring
• Fluid and sodium restriction guidelines
• Nutrition
• Exercise and activity recommendations
• Medications do’s and don’ts

Weekly clinical updates keep referring physicians informed about the patient’s vital signs, bioimpedence study, kidney and thyroid checks, lab studies and physical exams. 

For more information about the Heart Failure Clinic, call 404-851-5801.

For more information about the Heart & Vascular Institute, call 404-851-5111.