To schedule an evaluation with a Frankel Cardiovascular Center physician, call 888-287-1082. Or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page to learn what to expect when you call us.

• Shortness of breath with exertion or at rest
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Fatigue
• Chest discomfort
• Swelling in the lower extremities
• Shortness of breath lying flat

The symptoms of HFpEF can result from the accumulation of blood/fluid in the lungs, veins and tissues of the body. Fluid backs up into these areas because the heart is not filling adequately. The buildup of fluid in the lungs can result in shortness of breath while fluid in the legs causes swelling. Symptoms can also result from the heart not being able to pump enough blood during exercise. This can lead to fatigue and a reduction in an individual’s exercise capacity.

The U-M Health Heart Failure Program at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center offers highly specialized care for patients with HFpEF. Our HFpEF Clinic is staffed by heart failure specialists, and treatment in our HFpEF program takes the whole person into account, not just their heart. Our treatment often starts with controlling blood pressure and relieving fluid overload that can cause swelling or shortness of breath. 

Since there isn’t a “cookbook” of treatments that work for all patients with HFpEF, we use information from diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, heart catheterization, stress testing and cardiac MRI to design the best treatment plan for each patient’s particular situation. We also think carefully about how to diagnose and/or improve the management of other conditions that might contribute to a patient’s HFpEF.

Our HFpEF program also provides the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research studies. Our team has a strong desire to improve medical care and quality of life for patients who have HFpEF, and a passion to understand more about why people develop HFpEF in the first place. Our research spans the spectrum from studies investigating the effects of diet and exercise to clinical trials of medications and devices implanted in the heart.