“Both of my parents died in their 50s of heart problems. I had been gaining weight, and my two beautiful daughters looked at me and said, ‘Dad! Do something!’

I mentioned this to a friend and his response was, ‘Gosh, guys our age are dying – you should get checked out!’ And so I did.”

“My treadmill test suggested a problem.  I was advised to see cardiologist Jim Lies, MD, who prescribed an angiogram. The angiogram showed blockages of 80-90 percent in five of my arteries. Dr. Lies recommended immediate bypass surgery. I had the surgery shortly afterward, on December 2, 1999, at St. Helena Hospital.”

“I was able to go home five days after the surgery. Just three weeks later my favorite person, Marsha, and I, stayed at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco to celebrate my new lease on life.”

“In early January of 2000, I began cardiac rehabilitation under the guidance of Nia Lendaris, the director of the Cardiac Rehab. Nia and nurse Ursula Meade soon became my “best friends.” I participated in a fully monitored rehab program faithfully, three times a week for an hour at a time, for the next three months. I was able to return to work in late March, and continued rehab appointments twice a week for the rest of that year. I still walk one mile a day four to five times a week and keep my weight down with a healthy diet. I feel great!”

“My group at rehab changed during the months I participated – and sometimes included people I knew in the community, which was very supportive. We learned how to shop and read labels for healthy eating, and had stress management counseling. The program really gets you acquainted with your body – you notice changes – and participation reinforces healthy choices. Being monitored while working out gives a feeling of security and furnishes a weekly health profile.”

“If a program like this had been available to my Dad, I think he would still be alive today. The question is basically, “Do you want to live longer?”