| Feb. 3, 2005
Marquette man battles obesity and congestive heart failure
Marquette General educating public during Heart Month
about obesity and the increased risk of heart disease
Bill Blohm of Marquette is the first to admit that being
in denial about heart disease is probably not a smart thing.
“I knew something was wrong with me, but I was in denial for a couple of
months,” Blohm said. “I had no appetite … I knew there was
something wrong. When you hear somebody tell you, it opens up your eyes.”
Bill Blohm, left, assignment manager at WLUC-TV 6, goes over a script
with TV 6 News Extra anchor Greg Trick. Blohm, suffering from congestive
heart failure, was hospitalized at Marquette General Hospital nearly
two years ago. He has since lost more than 200 pounds and has incorporated
an exercise routine into his lifestyle to remain healthy. (MGH Photo)
Nearly two years ago, Blohm, 44, consulted with family physician
Dr. John
Lehtinen about the fatigue and sluggishness he was experiencing.
Weighing 535 pounds,
Blohm had battled a problem with obesity since childhood.
Acting on Dr. Lehtinen’s advice, Blohm came to the realization his health
was far worse than he imagined, and that he needed immediate medical attention
at Marquette General Hospital.
Blohm suffered from congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart
can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. The "failing" heart
keeps working but not as efficiently as it should. Those with heart failure
can't exert themselves because they become short of breath and tired.
Blohm’s resting heart rate was 160 beats per minute, and his kidneys
and liver were functioning at only 10 percent of their expected levels.
“It was a struggle to walk across the room without getting tired,” said
Blohm, the Assignment Manager in the WLUC TV-6 newsroom in Negaunee. “A
physician at FamilyCare doctors told me if I would have let it go another week,
they would have been picking me up in a body bag.”
“I didn’t know if he would make it,” Dr. Lehtinen said. “His
major organs were on the verge of shutting down, and he needed help immediately.”
February is American Heart Month. The goal of the Upper
Michigan Heart Institute at Marquette General this month is to educate the general public about the
link between obesity and heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), those with too much fat,
particularly in the waist area, are at a higher risk for health problems,
including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease
and stroke.
Obesity is now recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease,
which often is a precursor to a heart attack. According to the AHA, obesity:
· raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
· raises blood pressure levels;
· lowers HDL "good" cholesterol, which has a protective effect
on the heart. Reducing HDL tends to raise the risk of heart disease.
· can induce diabetes. In some people, diabetes makes other risk factors
much worse. The danger of heart attack is especially high for obese individuals.
Dr. Bill Jean, a cardiologist on staff at Marquette General, said obesity
by itself increases the risk of heart disease.
“If people eat too many calories, or consume too much saturated fat and
cholesterol, their blood cholesterol levels often rise,” Dr. Jean said. “That
raises their risk of heart disease.”
Upon being admitted to Marquette General, Blohm was put on several drugs to
rid his body of excess water associated with congestive heart failure.
“I lost more than 100 pounds of water weight in the hospital,” he
said.
Following a week’s stay at Marquette General, Blohm’s attitude
about food and exercise drastically changed.
“I started eating right,” he said. “I started eating foods
high in protein, and I began working out to develop my leg strength. I used water-resistant
aqua therapy, too. Eventually, I started lifting weights again and worked on
cardiovascular exercises.”
The diligence of working out at a local gym — at 5:30 a.m., before work,
five days a week, and often on weekends — has paid off handsomely for
Blohm.
He has lost more than 200 pounds off his 6-foot, 4-inch frame, while his
waist has decreased from 66 to 56 inches.
“I watch my intake of food,” he said, “and I exercise quite
a bit … it’s become a way of life for me. I looked at my options,
and there weren’t many. I feel the best I have felt in my life.”
His advice to others battling obesity and increased risk for heart disease?
“Get off your butt, get out and exercise,” he said. “Do something.
There is such a good feeling when you get in a good workout. I feel great … it’s
amazing.
“Exercise has become a way of life for me. I couldn’t see it any
other way. Any time I start to lose the motivation, there is someone who says
I’m looking good. That is the kick in the pants for me to get going again.
“Staying alive is my target,” he added.
According to the AHA, a high-risk waistline is more than 35 inches for women
and more than 40 inches for men.
Those battling obesity are encouraged to visit their family physician. For
more information about obesity and heart disease, call the Upper Michigan
Heart Institute at Marquette General at 225-4600 or 1-800-562-9753, ext.
4600; or
MGHS Weight Management at 906-225-6955.
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