Heart Failure and Supportive Cardiology

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Heart failure is a chronic illness that can negatively affect your quality of life. As the heart becomes weak, it is unable to properly pump blood and you may experience shortness of breath, pain and feeling tired.

Sometimes the heart can become too weak for medications to work causing symptoms to appear more frequently which may limit your ability to function at your best. Your cardiology team may recommend adding supportive cardiology to your care plan. The supportive cardiology team are experts in managing challenging symptoms of heart failure and strive to improve quality of life in the comfort of your own home.

The supportive cardiology team will work alongside your existing care team which may include the Cardiac Care Clinic team at North York General Hospital. Care is provided at the clinic and over the phone. The team will also connect you and your family with community resources to reduce emergency department visits and/or hospital admissions.

Cover for Supportive Cardiology guide
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Read our patient and family guide on Living with Advanced Heart Failure. Download: Guide on Living with Advanced Heart Failure

 

Read the New York Times  article "Failing Patients with Heart Failure"  Download: Article on Failing Patients wtih Heart Failure

 

Supportive cardiology offers: 

  • An added layer of support with a dedicated care team to support you and your family
  • A thorough assessment to determine your goals and help with advanced care planning
  • Expert knowledge in treating symptoms common to heart failure such as pain, shortness of breath, swelling, palpitations, fatigue, anxiety, depression
  • Inpatient services and outpatient follow-up
  • Working with your current doctors (cardiologist, family doctor, etc.) to control symptoms and maximize quality of life
  • Help to connect you and your family to community resources and maximize your supports at home

Benefits of supportive cardiology: 

  • Increase satisfaction with care
  • Improve confidence with managing symptoms
  • Increase quality of life
  • Greater emotional and spiritual support
  • Decrease visits to the emergency department and hospital admissions