Heart Attack and Back: a Story of Denial

When people ask me about my experience, which happens frequently and is the reason for writing this book, I know their questions before they ask. When I start to explain why I think I had the attack, I can see familiarity in their eyes. Sometimes I get the feeling from folks inquiring about my experience that they don't really want me to answer. It seems they would be more comfortable if they could cover their eyes and peek at me through their fingers!

I understand that heart attacks do not make for pleasant conversation. This is actually the beginning of denial. "Won't happen to me!" As you read my story, you will come to understand how denial almost killed me. It is actually a more common phenomenon than one may think. Denial kills over a quarter of a million people yearly. Deep down inside, we all relate to each other. It is important to understand that we are all susceptible to cardiac problems. This fear is a huge problem. Denial is the enemy. Fast, quick professional treatment is available, and will save lives. As you read on, I will take you through the process (mine at any rate) of the emergency room experience, diagnostics and how the doctors see it, the events leading up to my surgery and then the surgery itself. I am not going to try to explain the actual operation! But rather how I felt, how the hospital experience went, and some of the characters involved.

My hope is that you will fi nd this book informative and entertaining. However, if I can help one person to face reality, instead of going into denial when they experience cardiac diffi culty, this book will be a success! There are approximately 1.1 million heart attacks every year in this country. One third end in fatality, primarily due to denial. The sooner a cardiac victim gets medical help, the less severe and less life threatening the attack can be.

Please visit my web site www.heartattackandback.com for more information about me, this book and fighting denial.