- Investigator
- Francesco Franchi
- Status
- Accepting Candidates
- Ages
- 18 Years - N/A
- Sexes
- All
Heart failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart doesn't pump enough blood for the body. It is a major public health problem that strikes nearly 500,000 new patients each year. Heart failure can result from hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack and diseases of the heart muscle. Chronic congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly.
Heart failure: Why choose UF Health Jacksonville?
The Heart Failure Program at the UF Health Cardiovascular Center in Jacksonville is committed to providing patients with highly specialized care and the most advanced treatment options available.
The program is staffed by University of Florida heart team experts who provide inpatient and outpatient services. Patients of the Heart Failure Program benefit from the multidisciplinary expertise of specially trained nurses, pharmacists and dietitians. The team provides each patient with a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan.
Invasive diagnostic procedures
Noninvasive diagnostic procedures
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (heart MRI)
- Cardiac stress test
- Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography
- Echocardiogram
- Holter monitoring
- Myocardial perfusion imaging
Heart failure: Treatment options
Patients with heart failure can usually be treated successfully with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to remove excess fluid and improve blood circulation.
Treatment options include drugs that prolong survival by decreasing fluid, improving the pumping capacity of the heart, and improving the shape and size of the heart. Patients also have the availability of devices to improve cardiac function. In addition, many heart failure patients can benefit from a supervised exercise program called cardiac rehabilitation. Patients with advanced heart disease, who are resistant to treatment, may require hospitalization for intravenous medications designed to stabilize their symptoms.
Related conditions & treatments
- Cardiac catheterization
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (heart MRI)
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (biventricular pacemaker)
- Cardiac stress test
- Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography
- Echocardiogram
- Heart disease
- Holter monitoring
- Myocardial perfusion imaging
- Vascular disease

High Performing in Heart Failure Care
In 2023, U.S. News & World Report recognized UF Health in Jacksonville as high performing in the care of patients with heart failure.
Our experts
Clinical Trials: Heart failure
UF Health research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:
News and Patient Stories: Heart failure
From A-fib patient to cardio employee
Theodore Rogers was on track to become a registered nurse in 2017. While a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville, everything was falling into place for Rogers until he started to notice he wasn’t feeling like his usual self.…

UF Health Jacksonville improves performance in U.S. News & World Report rankings
July 27, 2021
UF Health Jacksonville has been recognized as a high-performing hospital in nine specialties, procedures and conditions in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings for 2021-22, including a Top 50 national ranking. UF Health…