My name is Jamel Rodman. In April of this year, at the age of 38, I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. The diagnosis was only a surprise for having come so early. My father was diagnosed with the same in his earlier 40s, asking with Type-2 Diabetes. He is, unfortunately, no longer with us.
I had spent the last decade or so of my life not taking care of myself. I drank to excess and my diet was more or less that of a teenager. Between my lifestyle and my genes, it was really only a matter of time before I had to deal with the consequences of my choices.
Today, I am striving to improve my heart and my health overall. Walking has been my exercise of choice and I have already seen amazing results. People do not realize what just 30 minutes of walking a day can do for their health. Walking helps lower blood pressure (hypertension was the precursor to my CHF). Walking helps lower cholesterol. And for me, along with changes to my diet, walking has helped me to lose 40 pounds since my diagnosis, and counting.
I'm participating in these Heart Walks to help do a little to spread the word and help other people who are battling with some form of heart related illness. Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in America. If I can help encourage any of you to see a doctor, recognize the signs that you might be on that path, and start making positive changes in your lifestyle, than I'll have done some good.
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I had spent the last decade or so of my life not taking care of myself. I drank to excess and my diet was more or less that of a teenager. Between my lifestyle and my genes, it was really only a matter of time before I had to deal with the consequences of my choices.
Today, I am striving to improve my heart and my health overall. Walking has been my exercise of choice and I have already seen amazing results. People do not realize what just 30 minutes of walking a day can do for their health. Walking helps lower blood pressure (hypertension was the precursor to my CHF). Walking helps lower cholesterol. And for me, along with changes to my diet, walking has helped me to lose 40 pounds since my diagnosis, and counting.
I'm participating in these Heart Walks to help do a little to spread the word and help other people who are battling with some form of heart related illness. Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in America. If I can help encourage any of you to see a doctor, recognize the signs that you might be on that path, and start making positive changes in your lifestyle, than I'll have done some good.