Living with congestive heart failure

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) Congestive heart failure doesn't have to be a death sentence. Recently Newschannel 3 visited Borgess Medical Center's Heart Failure Clinic where patients learn to live by managing their illness.

Irma Pruve comes to the clinic twice a month. She may not have recognized the symptoms, but during a routine check-up, doctors discovered the beginnings of congestive heart failure, her heart wasn't pumping blood properly.

A lot of people when they get the diagnosis of heart failure, it's just a death sentence, but it doesn't have to be, said Amy Shaffer, clinical coordinator. It can be like any other chronic illness where you can learn to live with it.

That is what Pruve has done with the help of Borgess Medical Center's congestive heart failure program.

I had to decrease my fluid intake, and also my salt intake, said Pruve.

Pruve was also put on medication. She monitors herself at home, but is also checked regularly by specialists at Borgess.

We're really teaching them how to manage their own disease process and let their doctor know in time if they start to get into trouble, said Gail Venner, nurse practitioner.

They had me weighing myself everyday, said Pruve, I had to check for swelling to see if I was retaining fluids.

Managing the disease for Pruve means no salt, no soda, and frequent cardiograph tests.

The heart failure clinic is the only heart failure rehab program in southwest Michigan.

We see patients every two weeks to make sure they get the benefit of medication as quickly as possible, said Venner. We also have a hot-line they can call into if they have any question about the education we did earlier in the day or are confused about a schedule and we call them back during office hours that same day.

For Pruve, the program has been a definite plus, and she says she's learning to live with her chronic illness.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, take my medication like I've been instructed and I'm doing real well, said Pruve.

Heart failure is a serious disease, but those affected can still lead active lives with the right treatment.

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