Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Get Bernadine Back to Full Speed

Thanks to guideline-directed medical therapy, including an implanted device to regulate and synchronize her heartbeat, Bernadine heart function has returned to normal.

Updated November 13, 2024

Bernadine Jones’ life is pretty full. Between working full-time at the Willingboro Police Department and caring for her husband, Brian, there’s not much opportunity to rest. When she began to experience chest pain in August 2022, she just chalked it up to stress.

“They called the ambulance, and they took me to Virtua Willingboro Hospital. I had some tests done and stayed the night,” said Bernadine. “There were some problems with my heart.”

Doctors found Bernadine had severe cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes weak and enlarged. The heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet.

After ruling out potential causes of her condition—like stress, a virus, or a blockage in her arteries that would need intervention—Bernadine’s cardiologist, Jeffrey Namey, MD , put her on guideline-directed medical therapy with the goal of strengthening her heart’s pumping ability.

Focus on ‘Heart Function, not Heart Failure’

However, by November 2022, Bernadine’s health had not significantly improved.

“I could barely make it to my car without running out of air. I was so weak I could barely take care of my husband. I would have to stop and catch my breath,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep because I couldn't get enough air. It felt like I was drowning. I had to sleep sitting up.”

Realizing Bernadine’s condition wasn’t acceptable, Dr. Namey called upon the expertise of the Virtua Advanced Heart Failure Program . Admitted to Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Bernadine underwent a cardiac catheterization and received medications called inotropes to make her heart contractions stronger.

A special type of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) also was implanted to regulate and synchronize her heartbeat.

“We focus on heart function, not heart failure,” said Tolulope Agunbiade, MD, FACC , medical director of Virtua’s Advanced Heart Failure Program. “Our goal is to provide

treatments that relieve symptoms and offer a better quality of life.”

Therapies Help Bernadine Feel Like New

People like Bernadine receiving heart failure care at Virtua have access to the latest medications to relieve symptoms—like Entresto, Farxiga, and Jardiance—and diet and lifestyle guidance.

Some also may receive a pacemaker, ICD, or left ventricular assist device, a surgically implanted heart pump.

Since beginning her care with the Advanced Heart Failure team, Bernadine’s ejection fraction—the measure of the heart’s ability to pump blood out to the body—has rebounded from 10 to 15% to closer to normal at 50 to 55%.

“When it comes to your health, don’t accept the status quo,” said Dr. Namey. “Through specialized programs like Advanced Heart Failure, patients like Bernadine can take advantage of the newest medications and treatments that can make a difference in their quality of life.”

Bernadine says she is following Dr. Agunbiade’s advice to eat a low-sodium diet, watch her weight, exercise, and take her medication as directed.

“I can walk to my car with no problems. I am breathing well. I walk around the building, not just across the street to my car. I can also help my husband, it’s wonderful,” she said. “If you want to live longer, you have to find the right doctors. I believe I did that. They saved my life.”