Bill Blohm

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 BlohmBill 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.
...
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.

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 BlohmBill 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.
...
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.