News

Northern Nevada Medical Group (NNMG) has launched a new program to support heart failure patients and their caregivers. About 6.2 million adults in the United States have heart failure, per the American Heart Association®. The program will provide education, resources and caregiver support so patients find relief from chronic symptoms associated with heart failure.

“We saw a need in our cardiology clinic and the community to better support heart failure patients who often find themselves without the guidance to manage their condition,” said Waddy Gonzalez, MD, non-invasive cardiologist at Northern Nevada Medical Group. “By giving patients more resources and education, our goal is that they experience fewer complications, fewer hospitalizations and have more opportunity to manage daily symptoms.”*

The Heart Failure Program at NNMG involves providers from various specialties including cardiology, nursing, pharmacy, social work, physical therapy and nutrition. With their collective expertise, patients have access to education customized to their condition. This may involve medication management, counseling support for diet and behavioral changes, remote monitoring for patients using pacemakers, and access to providers through telemedicine.

“The goal of our program is to establish lifestyle changes with patients so they can independently manage their condition,” said Janie Gomez, RN, heart failure program nurse at Northern Nevada Medical Center. “A patient’s nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness all contribute to their health. As a multispecialty team, we are here to make sure our patients and their caregiver are successful.”

There are various reasons why someone develops heart failure including medical conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and valvular heart disease. In addition, smoking, eating a high fat or high cholesterol diet, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk of developing a heart condition.

Heart failure can present in a number of ways. Patients should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath during regular activities, difficulty breathing while laying down, weight gain with swelling or feeling tired and weak.

*Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if minimally invasive surgery is right for you.