Managing heart failure is challenging and can affect almost every part of life. Beyond the physical symptoms of fatigue, swelling and breathlessness, heart failure also impacts emotional health, relationships, and daily routines.
A unique approach to heart failure care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is the Healthy Lives Hamilton program, an impactful addition to the spectrum of heart and vascular services we provide.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a medical condition that can occur due to the heart being weak or stiff and can develop after the heart has been damaged by a heart attack, a virus, high blood pressure or other conditions. Often it can’t be cured, but with the right medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and support, many patients can successfully manage the condition. The overall goal is to avoid hospitalizations and achieve good quality of life.
“At any given time, we care for ten to twenty patients admitted to our hospital with heart failure. Nationwide statistics show that up to ¼ of those patients will be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, largely because heart failure is a challenging condition to treat and manage.” says Justin Fox, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and interventional cardiologist, Chair of the Department of Cardiology at RWJUH Hamilton, and member of Hamilton Cardiology Associates. “Our task is to successfully guide the care of heart failure patients both during and after their hospitalization. During the hospital stay, my cardiologist colleagues and I work to provide optimal medical therapy and any needed procedures to stabilize and treat the patient. After discharge, our best practice is to have a team approach to the follow-up care including timely visits with their outpatient cardiologist and primary care physician and, perhaps most importantly, enrollment in the Healthy Lives Program.”
How Does Healthy Lives Hamilton Support Patients with Heart Failure?
Healthy Lives Hamilton is an outpatient clinic on-site at RWJUH Hamilton designed to help heart failure patients and their families. From symptom monitoring and management to education, a team of experts guides patients towards living a healthy life.
“The Healthy Lives Hamilton team works with patients to create an individual plan that can help them reach their health goals,” says Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Administrative Director of Cardiovascular Services. She oversees the program along with Ann Mancuso, MSN, RN, CHFN, Heart Failure Coordinator. “For many heart failure patients, their goal is to minimize symptoms of their illness and maintain good quality of life without having to come back into the hospital. These goals are achieved with thorough education to patients/families, medication adjustments, blood work and providing IV treatments if necessary. Our team works to understand and help patients manage the psychosocial aspects of their condition, which is key to achieving better quality of life.”
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Referral to the Healthy Lives Hamilton program may occur during an inpatient stay at a hospital, or a physician may refer patients to the program on an outpatient basis. Patients with heart failure and other chronic conditions are eligible to be enrolled. Note that the Healthy Lives team will collaborate with a patient’s medical providers for the most comprehensive care. Patients will still continue to be cared for by their regular cardiologist and other providers.
Ultimately, improving quality of life for those living with heart failure requires a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physical and psychosocial aspects of the disease, fostering a better life for patients. In 2024, RWJUH Hamilton was named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals as a High Performing Hospital for Heart Failure. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
If you or someone you know is living with heart failure and would like to learn more about the program, please call 609-203-4326.Visit rwjbh.org/heart
RWJUH Hamilton support groups this month
All support groups take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619–unless otherwise noted. View the entire calendar of programs available online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms, or for more information or to register, call 609-584-5900. Registration is required to attend.
Tuesday, February 10
Dinner with a Doctor: Men’s Wellness Edition. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Salman Ahmed, MD, Family Medicine, and a member RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, for an informative session on the key health screenings men should not miss. Find out what tests can save lives, how often to get them and what steps to take next for a healthier future. Dinner provided and registration required.
Thursday, February 12
Discover the Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Think hearing loss is just having to turn the tv louder? But there is more! Come and learn about the links between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Presented by Teresa Cole, AuD, audiologist at RWJ Balance & Hearing Center, at RWJUH Hamilton.
Friday, February 13
Snack & Chat: Matters of the Heart. 1-2 p.m. In support of Heart Month, join our Healthy Lives Hamilton Program team, Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Administrative Director Patient Care-Cardiovascular Services & Healthy Lives Hamilton Program, and Ann Mancuso, MSN, RN, CHFN, Heart Failure Program Coordinator, for an engaging lecture on heart failure, the challenges, treatment plans and the Healthy Lives Hamilton program. Healthy snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Thursday, February 19
Heart and Soul – Slide into Better Health! 6-8 p.m. In support of Heart Month, join us and pump up your heart and soul for group line dancing, Zumba, refreshments, health screenings, Ask-A-Cardiologist, heart health resources, and more. Don’t miss this fun, heart-healthy evening of dance. $10 per person collected at the door.
Friday, February 27
Heart Healthy Nutrition. 1-2 p.m. Also Monday, Apr. 20. In support of Heart Month, Join Lori Hager, MS, RD, RWJUH Hamilton, for our bimonthly nutrition education class. Learn about making dietary choices that support cardiovascular health. Discuss the principles of heart-healthy nutrition. Gain tips for meal planning and preparation. Explore heart-healthy recipes.
Dr. Justin Fox.,
