Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist

Working Together to Treat Heart Failure

In January 2019, the Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist opened to provide advanced heart failure care.

A Team Approach

Offering a range of screening services and specialized treatments, the Center at MoBap functions as a stand-alone clinic, seeing ambulatory patients on an outpatient basis. In addition, the Center sees hospitalized patients for observation, diagnosis, treatment and intervention. Specialists and clinicians work together to provide comprehensive care through all the stages of the recovery process. 

"This Center is an extension of the program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital,” said Washington University cardiologist Dr. Gregory Ewald. “The biggest benefactors are the patients who can get high-quality care for a range of heart conditions.”

Heart failure—caused by a weakened heart muscle—can be difficult to treat and frightening to those who have the condition. The term heart failure can apply to a heart muscle that is weak, enlarged, and does not pump effectively. That’s why diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart failure requires the collaboration of a team of health care specialists.

Starting with your primary care physician your care may include: cardiologists, electrophysiologists (cardiologists who specialize in heart rhythm management), cardiac surgeons, and a nurse practitioner who specializes in heart failure. Together this team will develop and individualized plan to help you to manage your condition.

Daily tips to manage your condition

• Weigh yourself daily
• Monitor your blood pressure daily
• Limit your intake of salt
• Exercise at levels recommended by your physician
• Take your medications exactly as prescribed
• Maintain frequent visits with your physician
• Ask questions and make sure you fully understand all information
• If you smoke, please stop. Smoking makes the symptoms of CHF much worse.