patient proves you can recover FROM HEART FAILURE

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I knew something wasn’t right,” explains Florence Nesvold. In October 2019, the spry 82-year-old was walking the trail behind her home when sudden shortness of breath and a rapidly beating heart stopped her in her tracks. An avid walker and someone who has been very active all her life, the symptoms were cause for concern.

When the rapid heartbeat didn’t go away, kept her from sleeping, and made it difficult to walk, Nesvold went to her local clinic, Essentia Health-Fosston. From there, she was sent by ambulance to Essentia Health in Fargo. During her stay in Fargo, an angiogram found that while there was no blockage, Nesvold did have congestive heart failure — a surprise diagnosis for Nesvold and her family.

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“Congestive heart failure is a weakened heart that is not pumping as effectively as it should be,” explains nurse practitioner Kristen Hogan. In Nesvold’s case, her heart muscle was weak and not doing a good job emptying blood from the atrium into the left ventricle, then pumping blood from the left ventricle into the body.

The amount of blood pumped by the heart into the body is referred to as ejection fraction. In a normal heart, this number should be 50-70%. When initially tested, Nesvold’s function was 25-30%. When the symptoms of shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat appeared, Nesvold’s heart was failing. Her body was retaining fluid and causing the symptoms.

It’s important to note that heart failure is something you can recover from. “Patients come in and they are usually scared and think this is the end,” Hogan says. “Your heart can recover. It might take some work on your part, but you can recover.”

“Oddly enough, I wasn’t too shook up about the fact that all of this was happening. My care at Essentia Health has been fantastic,” Nesvold says. “I feel so comfortable with Kristen. She’s so good at calling me back and fixing any issues or giving me the results of my tests. She’s thorough and takes her time to think things through before ordering tests or prescribing something. Kristen has also been very accommodating and making sure what can be done in Fosston is done there to limit the times we have to travel.” This is one benefit of an integrated health system.

Nesvold was discharged from the hospital with an external defibrillator to wear while she worked to strengthen her heart muscle. With her diagnosis, she was at a higher risk for ventricular arrythmia or abnormal heartbeats that may result in cardiac arrest. The defibrillator can sense any abnormal arrythmias and shock the heart back into normal rhythms.

Nesvold started cardiac rehab to help build up her heart function. After three months of cardiac rehab, medication and lifestyle changes — such as limiting her sodium intake — her heart function has jumped to 45-50%. She’s back to the low end of the normal range, which both Nesvold and Hogan are very happy about.

“Compliancy is very important with heart failure patients. You have to make lifestyle changes and diet modifications such as lowering sodium intake and exercising 150 minutes a week as recommended by the American Heart Association,” Hogan shares. “Daily weight checks are also key. If you gain 2-3 pounds overnight or more than 5 pounds in a week, call and check in.” The weight increase is likely due to fluid accumulation in the body. Keeping on top of these things will allow any issues to be relieved sooner rather than later.

Nesvold is looking forward to finishing her cardiac rehab program and getting back to her normal activities — walking two miles every day, sewing, quilting and moving snow alongside her husband of 62 years, Ernie. As the weather turns nicer, she looks forward to yard work, gardening, canning and more walking.

Nesvold doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. Thanks to expert cardiac care at Essentia Health, she doesn’t have to.

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