Valentine's Wish

Want to do something special for the people you love?  Want to show them that you really care about them and want to be part of their lives?

Take care of yourself so you'll be around to prove your love by sharing their lives.  There are some obvious things that everyone needs to do: avoid all tobacco products, exercise, and pay attention to what and how much you eat.  However, it may not be enough.

My father died at age 38 with a heart attack and I felt like it was in my future even at an early age.  Not wanting my kids to grow up without their dad, at 30, I joined a gym and have exercised regularly ever since.  I have watched my weight faithfully and have avoided foods that have been known to lead to weight gain and heart problems.

I started getting an annual medical physical at 35 and haven't missed a year.  My good cholesterol is high and my total cholesterol never did get into a dangerous level.  I felt confident that I was doing what was necessary.

Two years ago, I was teaching a class when I had a tightening in my chest and my breath quickened.  I gave the class a break, found some aspirin and resumed the class.  On my way home, I thought I ought to check it out but since I was going in for a physical soon, I'd tell my doctor then.

A few weeks later, I was running between terminals in Chicago late for a connecting flight when I got the same chest pains and breathing but...maybe it was just the freezing temperature, my exhaustion from traveling all week, and concern for possibly missing the flight.  I made the connection, had a cocktail and it went away.  My physical was scheduled for December 29^th, I'd tell the doctor about both of these incidents.

Two days after Christmas, I couldn't finish my workout; I was out of breath and those chest pains were becoming way too familiar.  After showering and cleaning up, I wasn't feeling any better.  By the time I finally made the decision to go to the hospital and was admitted, I had the heart attack there.

After the angiogram, it was determined that I wasn't a candidate for the stints and had surgery with seven bypasses.  It wasn't fair...I ate right, exercised, had physicals, watched my cholesterol and still had a heart attack.

It's not fair; it was genetics.  Family history had marked me.  My mother had bypass surgery at age 56.  Eight aunts and uncles had serious heart conditions that resulted in surgery or death.  Both my brothers have had heart attacks treated with stints and bypasses.  What was I thinking?

The good news was that because I had eaten right, exercised, had physicals, and got to the hospital in time, I'm still around to be a part of my family's life.  I'm still here to tell my family and friends that I love them and I try not to miss the opportunity to express it in words and actions.

My valentine wish to you is to take care of yourself.  Exercise regularly.  Eat more vegetables and fruits and less meat and fats.  Go to the doctor annually.  Learn the warning signs of heart attack.  Learn about a diet and nutrition. 

And one more thing...don't miss a chance to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.  It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to say you love someone.