My Story

A bald man dressed in a formal suit and tie is seated, exuding professionalism and confidence.

I was young and in good shape; what did I have to worry about?

Throughout my life, I believed I was at low risk for heart problems. I thought I would be fine as long as I stayed relatively active and in shape. Even when my doctor expressed concerns about my high cholesterol, I dismissed them, convincing myself that I didn’t want to live dependent on pills. Besides, who wants to think about their mortality when there’s so much life to live? Balancing a full-time doctoral program with a full-time job took a toll on me. My once-active lifestyle was the first casualty, as I often lacked the energy to exercise after spending long hours in front of a computer. In the evenings, all I wanted to do was collapse in front of the TV, shut off my brain, and indulge in the comfort foods I craved—pizza, wings, pasta, you name it.

A table laden with various pizzas, chicken wings, and an assortment of other delicious foods.

Life was good. I could eat what I wanted and worry about things later.

“What do you want for dinner?” That simple question from my wife was the start of a nightly struggle. She always ate well, adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, and balanced meals. For a junk food addict like me, her question was a nightmare. My predictable answer was always “something easy,” which was code for pizza. To balance out the salt, I’d eventually add ice cream for dessert. When she asked why I didn’t want to eat healthier, I would inevitably argue that it was a quality-of-life issue: if I didn’t enjoy eating, what was the point? After all, no one on their deathbed ever said, “I wish I didn’t eat that chocolate cake (unless that was WHY they were on their deathbed).

Looking back, I can see how flawed that logic was. But at the time, it was easy to justify my choices. Life was busy, stressful, and exhausting. Cooking a healthy meal felt like just one more thing to add to my never-ending to-do list. I convinced myself that as long as I wasn’t gaining too much weight and could still walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, I was fine.

walkman icon represents the heart-to-heart podcast

Listen to a discussion on the use of aspirin in a heart-attack.

An ambulance stands by in the dark, its lights flashing brightly, signaling its presence during a nighttime emergency.

The Day Everything Changed

Then one day, I was outside planting a tree. It was a hot day, and I was sweating more than usual, but I shrugged it off as just being out of shape. At some point, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, and I feared it was a rotator cuff injury. I did something unthinkable for me—I stopped and took breaks. A lot of breaks. That afternoon, I had to admit that something wasn’t right. But the next day, I was determined to push through. We had more plants to put in the ground, so I started again, but my shoulder was too sore. Suzanne had to step in more than once.

That evening, we had the dreaded pizza. I tempted fate even more by eating a bag of potato chips with a small container of chip dip. I felt like garbage. For the first time, I even asked my wife to start juicing with me the next day—a half-hearted attempt to undo the damage I knew I was doing to my body. Suzanne suggested we go for a walk, and though I didn’t feel up to it, I went. That night, I had what I now realize was my first heart attack. At the time, I didn’t know what was happening. I’m not good at quantifying pain, but I felt incredible pain in both of my shoulders and my back. I went into the bedroom and told Suzanne that what I just felt was a ten out of ten.

I unknowingly brewed the perfect storm

  • Working in the heat with no hat

  • Experiencing severe fatigue

  • Being dehydrated

  • Poor physical condition

  • Not listening to my body

  • Brushing off severe pain in the left arm

  • Eating extremely fatty and salty foods

  • Drinking too much pop

Denial and Reality Collide

The next day, I agreed to take it easy and spent the morning in bed watching YouTube videos. I started doing a course for work, and that’s when it happened—the larger heart attack. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I called Suzanne upstairs, and I will never forget the look on her face or the sound of her voice when she started to cry while on the phone with 911, saying, “I think my husband is having a heart attack.”

In those moments, Suzanne saved my life. She gave me two aspirin to chew while we waited for the paramedics to arrive. I was still convinced it wasn’t a heart attack and that it was nothing serious, but I chewed the aspirin to humor her. Little did I know, those aspirin likely made the difference between life and death.

Two white pills resting on a clean white surface, showcasing their smooth texture and simple design.

Chewing Two Aspirin Dramatically Increases Survival Rate In a Heart Attack

Chewing aspirin during a heart attack helps increase survival rates by quickly thinning the blood, reducing the formation of clots that block blood flow to the heart.

The Aftermath and a New Perspective

I survived the heart attack, but the experience shook me to my core. I had always thought I was invincible, that heart attacks happened to other people, not me. But there I was, lying in a hospital bed, realizing that I had been given a second chance. Suzanne’s quick thinking and insistence on getting help were why I was still alive.

Looking back, it’s clear that I had ignored so many warning signs—my poor diet, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, and constant stress. I had convinced myself that I was too busy to take care of my health, and it almost cost me my life.

Now, I’m on a mission to pay forward the life-saving actions of my wife. This site is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of recognizing heart attack symptoms and taking them seriously. It’s about encouraging others to listen to their bodies and not ignore the signs that something might be wrong.

Heart attacks by the numbers

80%

of heart attacks are preventable according to the AHA

22%

of heart attack victims are under the age of 45

90%

of heart attack survivors received timely help

Lessons Learned

  • Heart health isn’t something to take for granted. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that as long as you’re not overweight or as long as you stay somewhat active, you’re safe. But heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of how “healthy” you think you are.
  • Never dismiss medical advice. My doctor had warned me about my high cholesterol, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to be dependent on pills, but what I didn’t realize is that medication may have prevented my heart attack. It took a near-death experience for me to understand that taking care of my heart is about more than just diet and exercise—it’s about listening to medical professionals and taking their advice seriously.

Moving Forward

a heart icon with a checkmark
  • Today, I’m committed to living a healthier lifestyle. I’m not perfect, and I still struggle with my love for junk food, but I’m more conscious of the choices I make. I’ve started incorporating more heart-healthy foods into my diet, and I’m trying to stay active, even when life gets busy. Most importantly, I’m listening to my body and to my doctor.
  • I’m also passionate about sharing my story, hoping it will encourage others to take their heart health seriously. If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my experience, it’s that heart attacks can happen to anyone. Don’t ignore the signs, and don’t wait until it’s too late to make changes.
  • If you’re reading this and you’re someone who has been putting off that doctor’s appointment or dismissing that nagging feeling that something isn’t right, please take action. Your life could depend on it. And if you’re someone who loves someone like me, don’t hesitate to speak up if you’re worried about their health. You might save their life, like my wife saved mine.

In the end, my heart attack was a wake-up call—a harsh reminder that life is fragile and that health is something we have to work to maintain actively. It’s not just about living long; it’s about living well. And that starts with taking care of your heart.

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