"In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than two and a half billion times, without ever pausing to rest. Like a pumping machine, the heart provides the power needed for life." - from The Human Heart
Several years ago I went in for tests to check on the condition of my heart. The doctor had decided to perform a Nuclear Isotope Stress Test and an Echocardiogram which are meant to better understand how well my heart is functioning. There had been a few small warning signs and I do have factors which also increase my chances for heart disease or worse yet a heart attack.
After testing, a few days passed before I received the results and until then I let life go on normally. The 'normal' I refer to meant continuing to train for the Peachtree 10K Roadrace on July 4th back in 2010. My wife Laura and I have run/walked/volunteered in this event for many years.
We get immense enjoyment from doing so.
This particular year the training had exposed some pains I had never noticed before. I would like to say I decided myself, but with the encouragement of my wife a visit to the doctor was planned.
And what were those signs of something being wrong?
The following symptoms are those which you should pay attention to. I did and actually had a few of these which triggered my visit to see a doctor to catch any problems ahead of falling face first on the running course at Cardiac Hill. Yes, actually referred to with that name.
- Angina; feeling of tightness, pressure, or pain which appears with exertion or stress and disappears with rest. Usually felt in the chest, throat, upper abdomen, or arms.
-- ANSWER: Yes, not terribly bad but it was there and I paid attention to it.
- Shortness of breath; difficulty breathing when exerting yourself, resting or asleep.
-- ANSWER: Yes, sort of. I tried to explain it away with the exercise, but it would appear at other times when it should not have.
- Edema; swelling of your ankles, usually at the end of the day.
-- ANSWER: Yes, a weird symptom that I would not have expected.
- Palpitations; forceful, rapid, or irregular heartbeat.
-- ANSWER: No, this is one I would have expected to have.
- Fatigue; decreased ability to exercise, tiring easily.
-- ANSWER: Yes, the most frustrating one of all. I get plenty of sleep but fatigue creeps up on me quickly.
- Fainting; sudden loss of consciousness or light-headedness.
-- ANSWER: No, none of this.
So here I was not trying to be 'He-Man' and kept pushing through. I chose the route of "Einstein-Man" or in other words, smart about my health.
I talked to my doctor about my symptoms.
We discussed it and given the symptoms, more tests. The certainty of those test results had me wondering what my new normal would become. But fair enough to say that I ended up being okay. The usual of course, exercise more, lose more weight, and all of those things I thought I was doing.
I remain positive though after all these years since that time to do the best I can. I look forward to fifty more years of encouraging and inspiring others greater heights. And more so seeing my children, grand-children and great-grand children experience great lives.
So be smart about your health folks.
Exercise just a bit more, maybe join a gym and talk to a doctor when you can about your health. Find out more about being healthy. The internet has a HUGE amount of information for you to read about staying healthy.
So learn, act and realize great health. Have a healthy life and a great life; your best life possible.
Stay inspired my friends!
