Experts from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will discuss heart failure and its treatment options at a special community program Saturday, June 16.  John Chase, MD, cardiologist at UI Heart and Vascular Center, talks about heart failure and this event.

How many people are affected by heart failure?

There are some estimates in past years of over three and a half million people who have this diagnosis, but it’s difficult to say exactly how many, because there’s not necessarily a clear definition of this term, even amongst us doctors. Suffice it to say that heart failure is the most common encounter of Medicare patients, here in our country obviously, and probably, as you stated, almost all of us know someone that has the diagnosis of heart failure.

Who is the typical heart failure patient?

Though the spectrum of heart failure patients is very broad, probably the typical heart failure patient in the U.S. and in Western Europe is a person of 60 to 70 years of age that suffers from what we call coronary artery disease, the disease that causes heart attacks and that kind of stuff.  This disease affects men and women, it affects people of all ages, and the causes are a myriad of causes. 

How is heart failure currently treated?

To some extent, that’s why we have these conferences, or one of the reasons, because the treatments are complex.  The backbone of heart failure treatment is medicines; and then there are devices, such as pacemakers; and more advanced therapies, such a pumps; and eventually, maybe even heart transplant.

Is a diagnosis of heart failure automatically associated with a shortened life?  Is that true today?

I’ll be honest, yes, in instances it does shorten one’s life, but clearly it doesn’t have to.  And many people with good therapy live a complete life.  I guess I would say that the backbone of heart failure treatment is probably the patient themselves—their ability to take on this new burden themselves and make the most of it.  Yes, we help, but they are the primary person who is going to intervene in their disease, and that’s why we think that these conferences are important—to try to educate people how best to do that.

Could you tell us a little about Saturday’s community program on heart failure?  What time? Where?

Saturday’s program is our third conference of this variety.  It’s something we’d like to do on a yearly basis and because we’re limited by time, we chose three or four topics to discuss with people that are interested, and the people of our community or who we invite.  This is a conference that will be happening at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on 1st Avenue in Coralville and this will be Saturday, June 16, and will occur from 9 a.m. till noon, and all are invited. 

Aside from yourself, who else will be presenting at the program?

I’ll be giving some broad general overview as to heart failure treatment and the evaluations we do of heart failure.  But my colleague and the director of our heart failure group, Fran Johnson, MD,  will be speaking on the topic of stem cells, which is a very moving topic at this time. David Helman, MD, one of the surgeons that works with us, is going to be speaking about more advanced therapies using heart pumps. And then Marty Bradbury, who is the dietitian who has worked with us for probably more than 10 years, is going to speak about some of the dietary interventions or recommendations that we have for heart failure patients. 

Will participants have the opportunity to ask questions or talk with UI staff?

Absolutely.  And again, that’s going to be key, and though there’s going to be presentations, the overall atmosphere is going to be informal. 

Do participants need to pre-register for the event?

You do not. However, we would like to know who is coming and provide them with data and packets for the conference. There is a number to pre-register; they can call 384-8442 or 800-777-8442 to pre-register. But if they are not able to or decide more on the spur of the moment to come, they’re able to come and register at the event and this is a free event and open to the public. 

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