Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when a person’s heart is not able to pump blood the way it should. As a result, the body doesn’t get enough blood – and the oxygen that blood cells carry – to maintain the body and its normal functions.
Heart failure affects nearly 6 million people in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. It is one of the most common reasons people over age 65 go to the hospital.
Aurora Health Care is known as Wisconsin’s leader in cardiovascular care. U.S. News & World Report ranks us as high-performing for heart failure care.
We offer every available heart failure treatment. We’re also developing new ways to identify and manage the condition, from prevention through advanced heart failure care.
When you choose us, you and your family will benefit from:
Read more about the Tendick Center for Advanced Heart Failure Therapies.
The most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease (CAD). In this condition, arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged or blocked with a hard buildup called plaque.
Other risk factors and causes of heart failure include:
Anyone can develop heart failure, but it is more likely in people who are male, over 65, diabetic, overweight or obese.
To compensate for poorer performance, a failing heart may get bigger, develop extra muscle mass or pump faster. These changes weaken the heart over time, and the person’s health gradually worsens.
As heart failure advances, signs may include:
We offer every available treatment for heart failure, and we believe that the best approach is to avoid or minimize heart failure. That’s why we help people and their doctors identify heart failure risks and diagnose and treat heart failure at an early stage.
Learn more about heart failure diagnosis and treatment.