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You, I, and many others have been given a second chance in life. The question now is what are you going to do with it? Actually you have quite a few options.

Of course you can ignore everything your doctors and I have to say. But the mere fact that you’ve read through the book this far indicates that you won’t take that approach.

Next, you can grudgingly make a few lifestyle modifications. That’s better than nothing, but without a real commitment it’s likely you’ll slip back into your old ways after a few months. It’s rather like controlling alcoholism. The recovering alcoholic must make the admission that he or she is, indeed, an alcoholic and that it will take day-today effort to avoid taking even one more drink.

We’ve had a closer look at our own mortality than other living mortals. It’s scary. One tendency, quite a human reaction, is to cover up the memory in our minds. But that reaction can be dangerous. I admire the Jewish people who refuse to allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade. Only by keeping it in our consciousness, they maintain, can we prevent it from happening again.

Don’t dwell on your heart disease and mortality to the point of morbid obsession. But don’t allow yourself to become lulled into a state of complacency that might argue that it can’t happen again. It can. But it doesn’t have to.

I’d like to leave you with one very positive analogy for your recovery. Let’s compare your heart health with your financial health. Let’s say that you’re threatened with financial failure. You might lose your house and all your savings. You might face bankruptcy.

Now let’s say that a group of respected financial analysts review your situation and come up with a solution that could not only solve your monetary problems but also make you a millionaire in the process. They assure you that it’s almost a sure thing. But if you don’t take the steps they advise, you’ll surely go down the path to financial ruin.

What would you do? Go down the tubes? Or become a millionaire? Doubtless you’re thinking that the choice is obvious. Nobody would choose to go broke when they have a chance to become wealthy. Right?

Well, you have a very similar choice to make. Where do you think we get the expression, “I feel like a million dollars”? You can, indeed, go from a state of health crisis to a state of exuberant, exultant good health. Your choice.

Do I exaggerate? When I sent the manuscript of this book out for critical review by a number of top physicians and health professionals, I thought that might be the one criticism. I knew I had my scientific facts in order, but I wondered whether they might feel that I overstated the promise of going beyond mere recovery to a potential of literally erasing heart disease from one’s life.

I was delighted to hear that they supported my views. We have the data and experience to back up the promise in those who really want to deliver it for themselves. I emphasise those words quite deliberately. You’ve got to want to make it happen. And only you can deliver the goods. Your doctors and others can help, but it’s ultimately your choice.

I’m behind you 100 per cent. I wish 1 was there with you right now to give you a big hug, look you straight in the eyes and say, “God bless you, you can do it!”

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

There are certain things you just take for granted. You don’t think about doing them, they’re just part of your life. You brush your teeth every single day. You bathe at least once a day. You have a string of rituals that have become integral in your life that are done “for your own good”, as your parents told you and you told your children.

A long time ago you had to be reminded to brush your teeth and to wash behind your ears. Today such activities are a part of life. Would you leave home without your toothbrush? Of course not. So why leave home without your commitment to diet and exercise?

During the first few months of modifying your lifestyle, you no doubt will wish you could forget all about getting your daily exercise or cutting back on fat and cholesterol. It takes time to form new habits, whether good or bad.

But once that habit is formed, it becomes second nature. Try going a day or two without brushing your teeth. It’ll drive you nuts. You’ll want to brush! In time, you’ll feel the same way about diet and exercise.

Exercise, especially, becomes addictive. After several months of regular activity, you’ll look forward to your workouts. You’ll miss exercise if you can’t do it.

In 1989 I broke five ribs while water skiing, attempting a trick to impress my kids. The doctor advised no strenuous exercise for six weeks. I hated it, and couldn’t wait for those ribs to heal so I could get back to my sweaty workouts that make me feel so good for the rest of the day. I actually went through a sort of withdrawal, with irritable feelings and general sluggishness. I’ve become addicted to exercise, and I plan to exercise for the rest of my life whether at home or on the road.

The same goes for my diet. Gone are the days when I’d drool over greasy french fries and barbecued ribs. In fact, when I do eat some fatty foods, I feel queasy. I’ve grown to prefer broiled foods over those that are fried. To me, skim milk is the way milk should taste; whole milk tastes greasy and not at all refreshing. Again, it’s a matter of what one becomes accustomed to.

Sure, it’ll take some time, but by this time next year you’ll no more pack your luggage without your healthy habits than without your toothbrush. Have a nice trip!

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol