FOX 5 Special:Congestive Heart Failure

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Congestive heart failure means the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the body. It's a condition that affects about 5.5 million Americans. Pamela Thomas still doesn't know what caused her heart to fail at just 38, but a year later, she's doing everything she can to live her life to the fullest, with heart disease.

"When you physically look at me, you won't think that I had heart disease. You know, I'm six foot. My normal weight is 140. I look very healthy," said Thomas.

In fact, the General Motors sales executive said she was doing everything right like exercising, eating well, even meditating.

Thomas was born with an enlarged heart, that never gave her much trouble, but last fall, the 39-year-old started experiencing strange symptoms.

"It began to swell, my lower body began to swell, sitting at work one day. Initially, I didn't think about my heart, I thought about circulation."

Thomas said when her chest started to feel heavy, she went to her doctor and was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital. Tests showed that two liters of fluid had built up around her heart.

"After a while, your heart just can't take that pressure. So it was pumping slower and slower and slower every day. And I could feel it when I lay down at night. And sometimes I would wonder if I would wakeup in the morning, as well," said Thomas

In the last year, Thomas has undergone four major operations, including a robot-assisted surgery, to repair her damaged heart.

Thomas said she knows she doesn't look like someone with heart disease, but she is, and she wants to encourage people to do everything possible to protect their hearts.

"My relationship with my heart has always been really, really strong. But now it's different, because it's failed and I have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure," said Thomas.

Thomas said it still felt strange to say the words "heart failure" at age 39.

"It's still hard to understand that I will never feel normal again, if that makes any sense. My heart will never be like it was before," said Thomas.

Thomas said she is hoping St. Joseph's cardiac rehabilitation program can help make her heart stronger.

"I feel like I was chosen because I was strong mentally, physically, spiritually, and if were anybody else, to go through this sickness, it would've taken their life, because I was strong beforehand," said Thomas.

Thomas said she is hoping to one day walk strong again.

"What I think about every single day when I open my eyes is the fact that my heart is pumping, and what I have to do next to make it better.