A heart's decreased ability to pump oxygen-rich blood efficiently to the rest of the body, especially during physical activity, can result in a lack of oxygen reaching the organs. This impairs their ability to work properly and may cause serious or even permanent damage. The latest cardiovascular programs available at Holland Hospital include:

• Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
• Cardiac rehabilitation and outpatient support programs

Read more about how we can help prevent and treat heart attacks and heart failure

Holland Hospital encourages you to become an active partner in your heart care. You can help manage your condition most effectively by understanding your risks and the warning signs of heart attack or heart failure.  What you eat and drink, your current medicine regimen, how often you exercise and the way you handle stress each day plays a vital role in preventing a heart attack and heart failure. 

Outpatient Heart Care

Self-Monitoring
The most important thing you can do for your heart is to learn all you can about your condition. Through one-on-one home visits, group classes and regular phone calls, our heart care nurses help you:

• Understand your heart condition and how it affects your body
• Learn how to correctly take your medications
• Limit your salt and fluid intake in addition to an overall healthy diet plan
• Develop an exercise program appropriate to your physical abilities
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of heart failure and when to call your doctor or 911

You will need to carefully weigh yourself on a daily basis. Weight gain can be a sign your body is holding onto extra fluid--a warning sign of heart failure. Other important self-care measures include:

• Taking your medications as directed (carry a list of medications with you wherever you go)
• Avoiding tobacco products and alcohol
• Losing weight if you are advised to do so
• Getting enough rest and exercise
• Keeping your feet elevated to prevent or decrease swelling  

Medications
Your doctor may prescribe the following types of heart medications:

• ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to open blood vessels and decrease the work load of the heart
• Diuretics  to help rid your body of fluid and salt (sodium)
• Digitalis glycosides to help heart muscle contract properly and treat heart rhythm disturbances
• Beta-blockers to treat angina and heart rhythm disorders
• Platelet inhibitors to decrease risk of blood clots in small arteries 

Surgeries and Devices
Heart valve surgery, coronary bypass surgery (CABG) or PCI may be recommended to help treat your heart. Or, one the following devices may be recommended instead:

• A pacemaker to help treat slow heart rates or other heart signaling problems
• A biventricular pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy) to help the two sides of the heart contract at the same time
• A cardioverter-defibrillator implant to recognize life-threatening, abnormal heart rhythms and send an electrical pulse to correct them

Severe heart failure may require an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) when other therapies are inappropriate for your condition or no longer work. These devices can be life saving, but they are not permanent solutions. They are often used when a person is waiting for a heart transplant.