Two years ago I was 120 lbs heavier and a heavy smoker for 47 years. My blood pressure was peaking at 220/130 - stroke level! It was do or die time literally as my echo cardiogram showed that the muscle in my heart was very thick from the blood pressure workout.
I just had a new echo done and the thickness is gone - the muscle is back to normal and BP was 140/80 (still a little high). Even though I had lost the weight, my cardiologist was very concerned about the smoking and he asked about my quitting every visit. He was so thrilled yesterday when I told him that I quit two weeks ago - he must have shook my hand and patted my back 4 times. He was so proud that one of his patients actually did what he instructed I think. I can't let us down now! I still have cravings but I don't do that anymore. I want to live with my brain and lungs intact - no stroke for me!
