Trumbull Regional Medical Center is excited to announce the launch of the Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic. The clinic is conveniently located at Trumbull Regional on the first floor of the hospital and the mission is to provide patient and family centered care to improve the quality of life of patients living with heart failure through education and guideline-directed medical therapy.

Congestive Heart Failure occurs when the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in the body. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Approximately 550,000 new cases of CHF are diagnosed in the U.S. each year and over 6.2 million adults in the U.S. have heart failure.  

The CHF Clinic provides specialized care and education for patients who have been diagnosed with CHF. Our multidisciplinary team assists by providing the tools necessary to manage CHF and avoid hospital admissions. Treatment is aimed to improve quality of life through lifestyle changes and drug therapy. The clinic does not replace a patient’s primary care doctor but works with them and the patient’s cardiologist to optimize quality of life.

An evaluation of each patient’s health status will be completed at the first visit and an individualized treatment plan will be provided, including:

• Risk Assessment and prognosis
• Diet and fluid restriction recommendations
• Recognizing signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure
• Advanced care planning
• Physical activity/Cardiac Rehabilitation recommendations
• Caring for psychosocial needs

“Trumbull Regional is committed to providing the full continuum of cardiac care and launching the CHF Clinic further proves this” said Shyam Bhakta, MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director of the CHF Clinic. “The CHF Clinic will help educate patients on their conditions and improvements that can be gained through optimal management of medications, diet and exercise. Through close monitoring and follow up, we will work with patients to set and meet goals” said Bhakta.

Trumbull Regional is the Mahoning Valley’s only Accredited Chest Pain Center. Earlier this year, the hospital achieved the highest level of Chest Pain Accreditation available through the American College of Cardiology, Chest Pain v6. This means the hospital has a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who present with symptoms of a heart attack. Expert care begins the moment someone with chest pain enters the emergency room and continues through diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow up.

For more information on cardiac services and the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic, visit trumbullregional.org/heart or call 330-841-9648.