AdventHealth Opens Dedicated Heart Failure Unit In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — AdventHealth Tampa's recently opened 20-bed unit is helping to save the lives of patients with the most progressed stages of heart disease.

The disease affects one in five people over age 40, according to the American Heart Association, and it’s one of the most common reasons people over the age of 65 go to the hospital.

In many cases, heart failure can be managed with advanced medical care, medications and lifestyle changes.

However, AdventHealth's new unit at 3100 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa, offers board-certified cardiologists to provide advanced therapies and highly specialized care to patients experiencing heart failure.

“With this unit in the hospital, we are able to work together with physicians in other areas to fully understand the comprehensive needs of our patients and provide a better care plan,” said Dr. JaMia Washington, fellowship-trained cardiologist in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. “We have access to mechanical therapy support that can keep a heart beating, lowering the need for a heart transplant or improve a transplant patient’s health while they wait for a new heart.”

AdventHealth Tampa’s heart failure unit is the capstone of a larger program that also includes the state-of-the-art monitoring equipment such as CardioMEMS™ HF System technology, which is a small implanted device that sends heart data through Bluetooth inside a pillow.

Additionally, AdventHealth is offering heart success clinics with dedicated staff who see patients within seven days of a hospital stay, lowering their chance of returning to the hospital.

“This investment in this dedicated heart failure unit and state-of-the-art technology is a testament to our commitment to elevate care in our community and treat patients in innovative ways that not only improve their quality of life, but also make it easier to live with this chronic disease,” said Dr. Gus Agocha, a board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure, heart function devices and mechanical circulatory support.

Drs. Gus Agocha, JaMia Washington, Oliver Abela, Rozales Swanson and Merna Armanious are leading the heart failure program for patients at AdventHealth Tampa. They’re part of a team of over 70 board-certified cardiologists and providers serving patients in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling in feet, ankles or legs, dizziness, nausea or lack of appetite and sustained exhaustion or weakness.

For an appointment, or to speak to a physician to find out more, patients can call 813-644-4572 or click here.