Ever since my dad’s heart attack(s) on the fourth of July, I’ve been noticing things all around me. For example I made oven fried potatoes the other night and was shocked to see that I had slathered a full half cup of butter on them for cooking! Not a heart friendly choice!

Now that Heart disease has been found in my family, I need to take a more proactive part in my own health. I need to start watching the types of foods we put into our bodies NOW, before something, like what happened to my father, happens to me, or the boys, or my husband!

Another thing I am noticing is that a LOT of businesses around my town – and it’s not a big town either – have  AED’s, or Automated External Defibrillators. (Here is a link to Philips AED for more information) My dental office has one hanging on their wall near exam rooms 1&2. The little restaurant by the corner store has one on their wall. Even the Post office has one!

I had noticed a few weeks back that there was a billboard in the “big” city nearest us that was also advertising the use of AED’s. It’s reassuring, if you think about it. If my small town has at least three – and I assume that the police station as well as the medical clinic and the Town Office have them too, then the chances of my dad being near one should he have another heart attack are greatly improved.
Not that he WILL have another one! I’ve been talking with him and his wife about the things they are doing to prevent this from happening again,adn both of them are so ..upbeat, so positive about the changes in their life! Dad is walking every day – the cardiac nurse at his check up had to tell him to slow down, that he was pushing too fast! They are eating healthy, not just one out of three meals, but every meal – snacks too! It’s awesome!