Monday, February 11, 2019

Protecting My Heart Against Disease


This Valentine's Day week, I am reminded to take care of
my heart.  Some families suffer from cancer, mine suffers
from heart disease from both sides.  My maternal grandmother
died in her 60's from a heart attack.  My paternal grandfather
suffered from congestive heart failure for years until he
died from a heart attack at age 75.  My own Daddy had a
massive heart attack at age 51.  My Aunt had faulty heart
valves which required open heart surgery in her 80's.
My Mom suffered from congestive heart failure in her later
years.  

None of these family members looked or acted like heart
attack candidates.  All were thin, and all were quite 
physically active.  No couch potatoes here.  None of them
were heavy drinkers.  Both my Mom and my Aunt were
mindful of what they ate.  My paternal grandfather and my
Daddy ate way too many sweets.  Neither had high blood
sugar, but I don't think that anyone realized how dangerous
sugar really is, even if it does not show up as diabetes in
blood testing.  


I have reached a stage in my life where I need to be
careful and not eat anything I want, not because of 
vanity, but for underlying reasons.  I'm very tiny.  I
weigh 95 pounds and eat pretty much what I want on
a daily basis.  That's both a blessing and a curse.  

So, to keep my heart beating away for years to come,
I am treating it with love.  More fish and less beef.  My
dear hubby will either have to learn to like fish or, eat
something else on the nights I eat it.  I am cutting way
back on coffee.  I typically drink two big mugs per day
with lots of cream.  I won't go quite cold turkey, but
will ease back to one mug and no cream.  Essentially
I will be eating my oatmeal, berries, fish and veggies.
Cheese burgers will be a once every so often treat.

I am good about working out, but I tend to run on 
nervous energy and need to slow way down.  Therefore,
I will be adding a few minutes of yoga per day.

There are lots of things I want to do, and the last thing
I want is to have my life cut short.  Let's all remember to
take good care of the heart that beats daily for each of us.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

7 comments:

  1. The same is a risk in my family. My grandmother was 58 and died of heart failure.. My dad was 52 when he died. My little brother had a massive stroke at 57. Heart disease is terrible. I just had a stress echo and it came back all clear. I'm very thankful for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad your stress echo came back clear! Continue to take care of yourself. It's so much easier to prevent a problem than it is to fix one. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. Good for you for being so pro-active. There were some heart problems in my dad's family but nothing too bad. We are fortunate to not have a long line of progressive diseases. I have given up white sugar, flour and artificial sweeteners and feel so much better. I will never be 'tiny' or weigh 95# (darn you-lol) but I will be as healthy as I possibly can...and getting to a correct weight will be the bonus. Blessings to you! xo Diana

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  3. Susan, I admire your wanting to take care of your health and of your heart since heart disease runs in your family. Mine too! I had a pacemaker implant, oh that was a shock to be told I needed it! You take care and keep at it!
    Nancy
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice post. Thank you for the advice; good for all to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Susan. Glad you realize that even if you are thin and in pretty good shape it does not mean you can ignore eating healthy and exercising. I am trying to eat healthier to help with my autoimmune issues. Happy New Week.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  6. this blog really helps a lot now i have an idea for this coming valentines day!:) thanks.

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    ReplyDelete

Oliver and I LOVE and read every comment.

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