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I am 46.

6' tall 200 lbs.

My advice would be to first sit down with your family Dr. Go over the risk factors, see how many apply to you. Then make a decision.

Our prayers are with you. You opened my eyes also. I'm 48, 6'5", 300#, non-smoker, and I haven't seen a Dr. for over 10 yrs. I think I'll make the call next week.

My father had a major stroke at the age of 37. He was a CEO,2 new kids, wife...his entire life ahead of him. Social drinker...since he was in the banking business...social drinking was a lot...especially closing deals. Ate red meat constantly, limited excercise, smoked, put pepper on food...etc. He was 6'4 190 lbs. Sounds like a solid weight and height ratio right?

He fell asleep in his chair the night before we were scheduled to go to Disney World. He also was using the nasal spray for his sinuses. He had his physical at work 4 days prior and had gone to the hospital for it. They said it was an irritation of the esophagus and gave him mallox and sent him home. Little did he know..but he was having a heart attack then.

Back to the night he had his stroke. My mother went to pull him out of the chair thinking he was just being lazy and not waking up. He stared at her and then closed his eyes. This led into no responses or anything. My mother called 9-11 and called my neighbor. Sure enough my dad was having a major stroke and time was of the essence.

Paramedics came and NEVER administered oxygen..saying since he had been drinking J&B on the rocks that he was probably just passed out. He got to the hospital and by this time E.R. docs ran some tests etc...and then administered oxygen...but my dad had lost half of his brain by this point.

My mother was told he had the arteries of an 80 yr old man and that he would not last 24 hrs. Well he wound up paralyzed on his right side and lost his speech. He lived his life as best as he could learning everything over again and walking with a quad cane. Never regaining his speech. He died of another massive stroke 8 yrs later at the age of 45 while brushing his teeth.

This is indeed your wake up call. God has given you a 2nd chance. Don't screw it up. God Bless You for what you have been through but it is time to look around you and realize what you have to do for yourself and family now.I wish you much luck and prayers...it could have been a lot worse.

Ugh! Heart problems at that age are very bad news...you were indeed fortunate.

As we age, the heart develops "collateral circulation", meaning other ways to move the blood around to feed the heart. People below 50 or so really haven't developed this so much, and so if a major vessel blocks, they're in deep doo-doo. Heart attacks a 65 year old could live through would kill a 35 year old...and very little affects me more than "coding" a 35 year old in front of his family, knowing what his chances are.

Rest easy...gain your strength, and start anew.

46!!

I have to say, both my mom and I worry about my brother, who is in his 40's as well (big spread between me being 19 and him already in his early 40's!). Anyway, he is one big boy and he has not lived a healthy life. I am not real great either....5'5", 175 pounds, would rather shoot myself than run a mile. But, I do have my limits and I won't let myself get over 180 pounds.... I will starve myself if I have to. Luckily, I think my brother has begun to at least try to eat a little more sensibly. I just hope he stays okay, but I almost know his heart is already in bad shape.