Be Smart

     He wasn't feeling well. The first time, he had just returned from a business trip the night before.
     We went out to eat and after dinner, he just didn't feel well.
     I rolled my eyes.
     Who knows what he ate while he was in North Carolina. I could only imagine what he ate at the Nascar event. I was certain he had simply eaten too much junk food.
     A few minutes later, I suspected food poisoning. His color was a little off.
      I took his blood pressure. Let's face it. He is not the healthiest guy I know.
      His blood pressure was a little higher than his normal, but still within normal ranges. His pulse was 82.
      I rolled my eyes again. Then I sighed.
      Just an hour before dinner I had begged him to make some changes. I pleaded. "Please don't wait until you have a heart attack. Some people don't survive."
      A few minutes later he asked me to take him to the doctor.
      We arrived at the urgent care center and within minutes, he began to sweat.
      We left and drove to the hospital.
      He was having a heart attack.
       Five months later, I was painting when he asked me to take him to the hospital.
      I laughed. We have a standing joke about how many times I have been to the E.R. with messed up hair and clown clothes.
      Then I turned to look at his face.
       He was drenched in sweat. I had taken his blood pressure about half an hour before and it was normal. He just wasn't feeling well.
       I grabbed keys and shoes and drove him to the hospital. I let him out and then put on my shoes.
       He was having another heart attack.
    
       After the fact, the first time he said his jaw hurt.
        The second time, he said his left arm hurt and he felt some pressure in his chest.
        Honestly, both times to me, he looked like he was nauseous. Both times he looked as if he were about to vomit. Both times he was sweating.
       
       Familiarize yourself with the signs of a heart attack or stroke. Familiarize yourself with your body.
        His pulse is normally around 60. I knew that. Both times his pulse was in the 80's. Perhaps for him, that is a sign.
        Know your own body.
       Get a physical. Know where you stand today.
       He had a stress test done in November. His was clear. A stress test is supposed to predict a heart attack within six months. Clearly it is not foolproof.
       Know your body. Know your diet. Be aware of what you are doing. Does how you feel make sense?
      We are lucky. We got to the hospital in time both times.
      We could all be kinder to our hearts.... Perhaps you think marathon runners are better. Marathon runners do a lot of damage to their hearts from the type of exertion.
      Be smart.
      Exercise. Walk. Play outside with your children.
      Be smart. Say no to some of the processed and smoked meats.
      Be smart. Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can.
      
      Know your body. Know the signs. Learn more about heart healthy foods. Incorporate them. Make friends with them.