I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives.
I know this because I am a survivor of coronary artery disease and I also survived open heart surgery on March 17th 2022.
I woke early on November 9, 2021 with severe left arm, neck pain and elevated blood pressure. I woke my wife and we decided not to go to the hospital but to see my primary care doctor instead.
After hours of tests the doctor came to the conclusion that I more than likely had pinched nerves in my neck.
Flash forward a few weeks, I had a blood test for some additonal life insurance. I was denied the insurance because of a specific blood test called Pro Bnp, not knowing what it was we looked it up online. I was shocked to learn that its a test used for indication of heart failure. Anything over 100 is considered abnormal I was at 938.
I got on the phone with my primary care physician and went back in that afternoon. I had more tests. My EKG compared to the one I had on November 9th was a mess, We repeated the Pro Bnp and the results were still extremely high around 900.
My doctor said we need to get you to a cardioligist ASAP. Keep in mind covid was still rampant so ASAP turned out to be 3 weeks. When I got in I had an echocardiagram that revelaed my left anterior descending artery know as the widow maker was 100% blocked and another was 80% bolcked.
After a failed attempt at clearing up the bLockages with a stent, I was scheduled for open heart suregery at Central Maine Medical Center.
The surgery was succeful but I do have some irreverisable damage to my heart from what I can assume was a heart attack back in November 2021. It is a little ironic that life insurance saved my life. Without that test in a 100% sure I wouldn't be here today to tell my story.
Since than I have changed my diet and lifestyle. I walk most every day 2-3 miles and I have done televison interviews and have spoken at American Heart Association events to help raise awareness.
My first Heart Walk was only 2 months after my surgey. This year will be more 3rd year attending the Heart Walk.
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.