A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in order to improve cardiac function in heart failure patients. The stimulation is delivered as high-output pacing in which the stimulation is excitatory and also of sufficient energy to augment myocardial contractility. In order to provide a consistent hemodynamic response, the high-output pacing is optimized by delivering it using different parameter sets, evaluating the hemodynamic response thereto as reflected by one or more measured physiological variables, and selecting the parameter set with the best hemodynamic response.