What causes congestive heart failure?
What are the symptoms?
What are the risk factors?
If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?
Who provides the medical care?

1.  What causes congestive heart failure?

Heart failure can be the result of high blood pressure, previous heart attacks, coronary artery disease, viruses and damaged heart valves.

2.  What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of congestive heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and tiring easily
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs and, occasionally, the abdomen
• Persistent coughing, raspy breathing or wheezing

3.  What are the risk factors?

The risk factors of congestive heart failure are similar to the risk factors for coronary heart disease, including:

• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Smoking
• High cholesterol levels
• Diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Low HDL cholesterol

4.  If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?

Depending on the type of coverage, most commercial insurance carriers will pay the major share of the cost. You should always consult your insurance company to determine proper coverage.

5.  Who provides the medical care?

The team at Advocate Christ Medical Center is staffed by specialized cardiologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, and nutritionists who are dedicated to caring for patients with congestive heart failure. You will remain under the care of your primary care physician and cardiologist while you are treated by the specialists at Christ Medical Center. To ensure that your physician is kept up-to-date, our team will provide ongoing reports on the progress you have made.

Back to the top