Caught by Heart Disease

Last night we attended the viewing of a dear family friend. Only in his late fifties and seemingly of good health, it was a shock to all when he had a heart attack. After two weeks in a coma, he passed away, leaving behind his wife, children, and grandchildren.

In the days following Christmas, he was having a lot of heartburn. He chalked it up to all the rich foods and desserts he’d been eating. He started having pain in his shoulder too, but didn’t realize it was connected to his heart. If only he would have recognized the signs.

The leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. is heart disease.

Don’t shrug it off and think it could never happen to you. Stay current with your physicals and blood work. Know your blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Know your risks (take a risk assessment).

I lost my dad, too. He had untreated high blood pressure and died from stroke. It could have been prevented.

Don’t be caught by heart disease. Do something about it.