Get Checked Before You Get Wrecked - Launching Gunboss 2.0
I know most of you on here are 20-40 years old (or more), and are of the opinion that heart attacks happen to someone else—someone older, someone less active, someone with obvious health problems. I used to think that too.
I'm 61 years old, and on June 23 at 2230, I had a heart attack. After scans revealed the extent of the heart damage, I had quadraple bypass open heart surgery.
Looking back, I can see the warning signs I brushed aside. I was busy with tutoring all of my wonderful students, getting "regular" VA physicals, but always figured I could make the needed lifestyle changes, later, when I retired... Later almost never came.
M heart decided the waiting time was OVER. The experience changed my life in an instant. Fortunately, I survived. Not everyone gets that second chance. Thankfully, this only took me out of tutoring for 2 weeks, which felt like an eternity...it cululd easily have been.
That's why I'm writing this to you.
Heart disease doesn't suddenly appear when you turn 60. It often develops silently over decades. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history, stress, poor sleep, and even a lack of regular exercise can all contribute long before symptoms show up. My biggest warning sign was the classic, "Why am I always SO freaking tired??"
The good news is that many of these risk factors can be found with simple checkups. A blood pressure reading takes minutes. A cholesterol test requires only a small blood sample. A conversation with your doctor about your family history could could reveal risks you never knew you had.
These aren't signs of weakness—they're signs that you're taking responsibility for your future. Getting your heart checked doesn't mean something is wrong. It means you're giving yourself the best chance to catch problems before they become emergencies. Trust me, it's far better to spend an hour at a doctor's office than two weeks down hard in a hospital with tubes running everywhere and wearing that scanty gown day and night. Many young nurses may change careers.....
I can't go back and make different choices before my heart attack. But if my story convinces even one person to schedule a checkup, then something good will have come from one of the hardest days of my life.
So here's my challenge to you:
Don't wait until your heart forces you to pay attention.
Get checked before you get wrecked.
Great life advice Gunboss. Scary stuff. Glad you were able to make such a quick recovery. Thank you for being willing to share your story to inspire others to take proactive steps for their own health. It's so incredibly important. Welcome back to the team, you were missed!
Gunboss! Thanks for sharing! We are incredibly lucky to have you with us and part of the family. Glad to hear the recovery is underway and going well.
Nice to get your insight and perspective, Gunboss! Glad you are feeling better and back in the game!
To “pile on” here, my Father use to tell me that our military physicals were like the ones you take before sports in high school each year…they just check enough to make sure you can play for the upcoming season…
Start now, if you haven’t already, by making your health a priority!
Also, as you begin your military journey, keep good records of your health issues so that you can 1. Prevent future health issues and 2. Make things easier for yourself when you separate or retire for future benefits.
