Your Heart
Failure Team

Learn about the members who may be on your heart failure team and best practices to streamline communication.

The Heart Failure Team - A team approach to treating heart failure

Who is part of the heart failure team and what are their roles?

A heart failure team is made up of healthcare specialists who work together to provide the best care for people with heart failure. Each member of the team has a unique role in managing heart failure, from diagnosing the condition to creating a treatment plan and providing follow up care. This team-based approach helps ensure people receive the most effective and personalized care possible. 

It’s important to note that not everyone will have all the same members, the heart failure clinic you work with will assist in determining which members will help with your care.

Meet Some Key Heart Failure Team Members

Primary Care Doctor

The primary care doctor provides ongoing care for people with heart failure and their overall health, managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can worsen heart failure. They ensure all aspects of their patients' health are considered in the treatment plan and coordinate with the heart failure team to address any issues that arise. 

Primary care doctors manage overall health, and coordinate with the heart team for long-term heart failure care

General Cardiologist

A general cardiologist manages the overall cardiovascular health of people with heart failure, diagnosing heart problems early and providing long-term treatment for heart failure. They work closely with other specialists to coordinate a patient’s care plan, ensuring that medications, lifestyle changes, and procedures are effectively integrated. They are often the first point of contact for heart-related concerns and play a central role in monitoring heart failure over time.

General cardiologists diagnose heart issues, manage treatments, coordinate care, and monitor long-term heart failure

Interventional Cardiologist

An interventional cardiologist performs minimally invasive procedures like angioplasty or stent placement to open blocked arteries or repair heart structures, improving blood flow and heart function. These procedures can be critical for people with heart failure who are experiencing worsening symptoms due to blocked arteries.

Interventional cardiologists use techniques to open blocked arteries, improving heart function and blood flow
   

Heart Failure Specialist

A heart failure specialist focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of advanced heart failure, using specialized therapies like medications, mechanical devices, or heart transplants when necessary. They monitor disease progression closely and adjust treatment plans to manage symptoms and improve heart function. Their expertise is crucial for people with complex heart failure who need more than standard care.

Heart failure specialists diagnose and treat advanced cases, using meds, devices, or transplants, adjusting care as needed

Electrophysiologist

The electrophysiologist is the heart rhythm expert on the heart failure care team. They specialize in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, which are common complications for heart failure patients. Through procedures like catheter ablation and the use of devices like cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), an electrophysiologist can help manage arrhythmias, improve heart function, and reduce the risk of serious cardiac events.

Radiologists use echocardiograms, MRIs, or CT scans, aiding diagnosis, tracking heart failure, and guiding treatment

Cardiac Surgeon

A cardiac or cardiothoracic surgeon handles complex heart surgeries, such as heart transplants, bypass surgeries, or valve replacements, which are often necessary in severe cases of heart failure. For people with heart failure, these procedures can improve their quality of life or, in some cases be life-saving. They work in collaboration with the heart failure team to ensure the best surgical outcome and postoperative care.

Cardiothoracic surgeons perform complex heart surgeries like transplants and bypasses, and collaborate with heart failure teams

Heart Failure Team Communication Tips & Best Practices

Be prepared for appointments

Before your appointment, list symptoms, meds, and questions. This helps your heart team, reduces stress and boosts confidence

Ask questions

Ask questions about your heart failure or treatment plan to understand better

Consider recording

Record your appointments to recall details later, share with family, and ensure you don't miss crucial advice or instructions

Take notes

Take notes during appointments to remember key points, review your care plan later, and communicate with healthcare providers

Be open and honest

Be honest with your heart team about symptoms and lifestyle for effective, tailored treatment

Know your next steps

Before leaving, understand your next treatment steps like follow-ups, tests, or meds to stay on track and avoid confusion

Share contact information between your healthcare team and caregivers

Ensure all healthcare and heart team members have each other's contact info for coordination

Find a Heart Failure Specialist

Heart failure specialists have additional training to fully treat people with heart failure. 

Find a Heart Failure Specialist

These materials are not intended to replace your doctor's advice or information. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding the medical procedures, devices and/or your personal health, please discuss these with your physicians.

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