David's heart failure was getting worse and worse.

“My cardiologist decided I qualified for the HeartMate 3, and I said ‘can we put it in this afternoon?’ ”

David, HeartMate 3™ LVAD Recipient

Recognize if your heart failure is worsening

Heart failure — sometimes called a weak heart — happens when the heart gets so weak it can no longer pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs.1

Heart failure can get worse over time. If not managed and treated, it can lead to poor quality of life, hospitalizations and death. Heart failure causes more than 377,000 deaths each year in the United States.2

In its early stages, heart failure can often be managed with medicines and healthy lifestyle changes. As heart failure gets worse and the heart becomes weaker, medicine may no longer work as well. Other treatments, such as implantable devices that help your heart pump blood, may be an option.3

Which NYHA Heart Failure Class best describes your activity level?

Doctors use the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes of heart failure to define the seriousness of a person’s heart failure. As heart failure symptoms get worse and it gets harder to do physical activities, the heart failure class level changes from early-stage heart failure (Class I and II) to advanced heart failure (Class III and IV).

4 stages of Heart Failure

If you have advanced heart failure, your doctor may recommend a heart pump - called a Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD

The HeartMate 3 LVAD is a proven, well-known choice for people with advanced heart failure (NYHA Class IIIB-IV). It's a small device that is connected to your heart to help it pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

 

See how HeartMate 3 LVAD therapy can help people with advanced heart failure

Thousands of people are living with LVAD therapy5

In a large clinical study, people with advanced heart failure implanted with the HeartMate 3 LVAD have been shown to have less heart failure symptoms, enjoy a much improved quality of live and live longer.4

Over 20,000 people have been implanted with a HeartMate 3 LVAD device worldwide.5

Associated risk of LVAD therapy can include bleeding, stroke, thrombosis and other possible adverse events.

Connect with a HeartMate LVAD patient ambassador

Hearing about life with an LVAD from someone who is living with one can be very helpful. Connect with an ambassador to learn more about living with a HeartMate LVAD. 

Talk to your doctor about your treatment options

It’s important to talk to your doctor and ask questions. By better understanding heart failure and your treatment options, you can make informed decisions to manage your heart failure.

If your doctor thinks advanced options may be necessary, including LVAD therapy, you will be referred to an advanced heart failure specialist for evaluation and for more information. The earlier you are seen by a heart failure specialist before your condition becomes worse, the more time you will have to decide and plan for your treatment.
 

Questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • What NYHA Class is my heart failure?
  • How is my heart failure likely to progress (get worse)?
  • What advanced therapies are available if my heart failure gets worse?
  • Am I a candidate for LVAD therapy?
  • Should I see an advanced heart failure specialist for evaluation for advanced therapies, including LVAD therapy?
Get More Information

Learn more about Heartmate LVAD Therapy

Find a HeartMate LVAD Advanced Heart Failure Clinic

Find a HeartMate LVAD clinic near you or call us at 1-855-7-HEARTMATE.

Find a Clinic

Additional Information

These materials are not intended to replace your doctor’s advice or information. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding the medical procedures, devices and/or your personal health, please discuss these with your physician.

The above testimonial relates an account of an individual’s response to the treatment. This patient’s account is genuine, typical and documented. However, it does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment discussed can and do vary and are specific to the individual patient.

References

  1. What is Heart Failure. American Heart Association Website. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure. Accessed on March 8, 2021
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics. 2019 Mortality [I50.0-I50.9 Heart Failure total mentions page 32 and 94]. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality_public_use_data.htm
  3. Givertz, M. Ventricular Assist Devices. Important information for patients and families. Circ Heart Failure. 2011;124:e305-e311.
  4. Mehra M, Uriel N, Naka Y, et al. A Fully Magnetically Levitated Ventricular Assist Device-Final Report. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1618-1627.
  5. Based on clinical and device tracking data as of Oct. 21, 2021.

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