As I hear the familiar tone of the video call connect through, I waited for the other person to pick up. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared on the screen with a warm smile, a patient known to me, whom we have been following for a few months now. We say hello like old friends, a relationship born of familiarity transcended from a doctor-patient relationship, and start our pleasant conversation. This is The Medical City Heart Failure Clinical Care Program (HFCCP). Patients who come to the hospital with heart failure, short of breath, and frightened, for what could possibly be the worst time in their life, now turned into an opportunity to improve their medications, monitor their progress, even fall backs, with the goal of lessening these unpleasant experiences.

Heart failure (HF), which may start suddenly (acute) or can be ongoing (chronic), means that the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, the body is deprived of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood supply. This results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, and abdominal bloating. Daily routine activities can then become very difficult.

Anyone can develop HF. It can even happen as you age, but most people with HF have pre-existing heart conditions. The most common heart conditions that can cause HF are coronary artery disease (blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart), high blood pressure and a previous heart attack. Diabetes, obesity, smoking, a diet rich in fat and physical inactivity can also contribute to heart failure. These conditions and lifestyle factors either damage the heart muscle or make it work too hard.

Not all conditions that lead to HF can be reversed, but with the right medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle — such as exercise, reducing salt and sugar in your diet, smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, managing stress and losing weight — you can live a full and active life. So it’s important to see your doctor right away and schedule regular check ups.

The HFCCP at The Medical City was established to treat and monitor HF, improve quality of life, prevent rehospitalization, and engage patients and their families in active management through education and lifestyle changes. Our HF team includes experts in cardiology, nursing, physical therapy, nutrition, pharmacy, and other specialties.

Enrollment into the program begins with a referral from the primary doctor or Attending Cardiologist. A HF team approach in the plan of care follows current HF guidelines and recommendations in assessment and diagnosis, optimization of medical therapy, referral to specialties as needed, such as revascularization (stents or surgery), device therapies (pacemaker, defibrillator, resynchronization therapy), and referral to an Advanced HF Specialist (for those with continuous symptoms despite optimum therapy). The program includes patient and family education and regular monitoring of HF care after hospital discharge. We aim to meet the growing challenge of caring for the HF population in the country.

The Medical City Heart Failure Clinical Care Program is headed by Dr. Simonette Kristine T. Sawit and Dr. Glenn Rose Advincula. For more information, contact The Medical City Cardiovascular Institute at 8-9881000 ext. 6314.