MADISON, Wis. -- Nearly 500,000 new cases of congestive heart failure are diagnosed each year.

But now, two years after St. Mary's Hospital began its heart failure program, doctors said they are seeing a decrease in numbers and a brighter future for their patients.

Congestive heart failure is the most common heart condition in the elderly.

"There are over 5 million patients with heart failure every year," said nurse practitioner Christa Raymond. "It accounts for over 1 million hospitalizations each year and has the highest readmission rate of all inpatient groups."

The condition can be fatal.

"About 50 percent of patients with heart failure die within five years of their diagnosis," said Raymond.

The condition can be caused by many things, including previous heart problems.

"Heart failure management can be somewhat tricky," said Raymond.

That is why St. Mary's has a special program specifically aimed at heart failure.

"Our program started back in 2006, and our whole goal is to decrease re-admissions and also to help improve the health status of our patients, help improve their quality of life," said Raymond.

Raymond said the numbers explain the success of the program.

"Compare three months prior to entering the program compared to three months after entering the program we've seen an 80 percent reduction in hospital encounters as well as a decrease in their length of stay," said Raymond.

John Acker told WISC-TV he has been a regular patient at St. Mary's since his heart attack in 1986. But he said the heart failure program has made a noticeable difference.

"I like this way better, you know," said Acker. "If you've got a pill problem, like it's reacting or something, you just call her up and tell her about it, and a couple of hours later she calls back and tells you it's good to stay on it or get off of it or whatever."

Part of the program is weekly patient calls, a small change that has paid off, according to doctors.

"They treat me real good," said Acker. "The nurses, when they call, they always make me take my blood pressure and my pulse every day. And I've got to weigh myself every day and if I gain more than 2 or 3 pounds overnight, I have to go in there right away because I'm taking on water by my heart."

Once diagnosed with congestive heart failure, patients are asked to modify any risk factors to prevent future problems.

They must also monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars if they are diabetic.

Doctors said patients should also maintain an active lifestyle and eat right.