[Brendalee]

Today I had to go to the Dr for chest pains, though they were not severe and really didn't "hurt".. more of a lot of pressure. They listened to my heart and gave me an EKG and there were a couple of minor irregularties on the EKG and a "tick" in my heartbeat when they listened.. whatever that means. I go for more tests tomorrow.

(Background) I had found out a couple of months ago that I have extremely high cholesterol and extremely obese. At about 270 then with matching cholesterol, that is what kicked me in the butt and motivated me to start eating right and exercising, though I still smoke. Also the fact that my Dad died from a heart attack caused by high cholesterol and heart disease at the age of 37. I was 14. When I'm 37 my son will be nearly 14... I have 6 years to become healthy again.

Anyway... today I am told I have to quit smoking NOW (obviously). And they are going to run some more tests tomorrow. I have the nicotine patch and am going to quit starting tomorrow morning. I also am going to be continuing with my diet and exercise, Dr. permitting. I find all of this very overwhelming and scary.. (especially since I'm only 31). I hope I can do all of this.. I hope everything goes well and I don't have heart disease already or something worse. I hope it's one of "all the "other" things on the list" that this could be related to. I hope that I can make myself into the healthy person I should be. I hope that my 7 year old son has me around to see his children grow. I hope that you all have the strength and patience to deal with my *****y, whiny, butt as I do it. I hope this message helps others to see how important it all really is and kicks YOU in the butt for tomorrow.

Be safe and thanks again for listening to my rants.

~Edit lol.. I didn't "find out" I was obese lol I knew that :P

[penpal]

I'm really sorry to hear you are going through this, but no matter what the diagnosis turns out to be, you are on the right track by taking control and quitting smoking, etc. You have a big incentive to improve your health for your son's sake.

A lot of heart problems are reversible by losing weight and exercising. You are still very young, so you have a better chance to get healthy than someone who is much older who faces such a challenge.

Just take baby-steps at first and try to change the main things that are stopping you from losing weight. If your doc says it's ok you could do some light exercise - I love Curves gym and it's done wonders for my stiff joints!

Sometimes it takes a loud wake-up call (in my case cancer) to get us to do something about our unhealthy lifestyles. I'll keep you in my prayers that everything works out well for you.

[lilybelle]

Hi and welcome to the forum. The people here are wonderful for support. I am sorry to hear of your health concerns. The reason I started to get the weight off was health related also. (liver disease). Obesity made my health problems so much worse. My blood pressure and heart rate are now very well controlled which wasn't the case a yr. ago. I am happy that you are changing your lifestyle while you are still young. Good luck and best wishes.