Choosing a Baton Rouge congestive heart failure specialist is one of the most important decisions you can make in life, however knowing the signs of congestive heart failure is equally, if not more important.

Know the Symptoms – Common Warning Signs of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF):* Weight gain (2 – 3 pounds in one day)* Feeling tired or fatigued* Chest pain* Swelling of the legs or ankles* Shortness of breath* Inability to sleep* Increased urination (especially at night)

Choosing a Congestive Heart Failure Specialist:A popular choice in the Baton Rouge, LA area is Lane Regional Medical Center, a thriving primary care not-for-profit hospital located in Zachary, LA (near Baton Rouge).

Lane offers a comprehensive heart and cardiovascular program specializing in nuclear cardiology electrophysiology, prevention services, interventional cardiovascular procedures and thoracic surgery. Their cardiology physicians’ services include both cardiac and peripheral vascular evaluations and treatments, EKG, treadmill stress testing, echocardiography, nuclear medicine studies and nutrition counseling.

Their partnership with Cardiovascular Institute of the South ensures that their patients will benefit from world-class physicians, recognized cardiologist and state-of-the-art technology, resulting in the best means of diagnosis and treatment with the least possible discomfort.

Lane Regional Medical Center is licensed for 144 beds, including a 30 bed rehabilitation center, and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Health Care Organizations and the State of Louisiana. Their Home Health agency, which provides health services in the comfort of the home, ensures that patients receive the continuum of care necessary for a complete recovery.

More on Congestive Heart Failure:When you have congestive heart failure, excess fluid is more likely to build up in your body. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood, and may cause additional cardiovascular problems. Fluid buildup also causes symptoms such as shortness of breath and edema (swelling). Controlling the amount of salt (sodium) you eat may help prevent fluid from building up. Your doctor may also tell you to reduce the amount of fluid you drink.

It is important to recognize the signs of congestive heart failure, or other cardiovascular problems immediately. If symptoms worsen, a heart attack may be imminent, and you’ll need to act immediately by calling 9-1-1. A person’s chances of surviving a heart attack are increased if emergency treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible.

If the blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off, a heart attack can result. Cells in the heart muscle do not receive enough oxygen and begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, increased age, physical activity, unhealthy diet, and having had a previous heart attack or family history of stroke, obesity, or diabetes can increase a person’s chances of having a heart attack.