I went to the cardiologist yesterday. Not because I was feeling bad. In fact, I’ve been feeling pretty good lately. I went because of my dad. You see, apparently he passed on some bad
genes. He had heart trouble in his 50’s –
bypass surgery when he was 58. In the
last year, both my brothers, in their early 50s, have experienced heart problems. Almost 6 months ago my brother Greg passed
away as a result – my older brother (only by 2 years) recently underwent
quadruple bypass surgery. So off to the
cardiologist I go (I am 50). Fortunately
all my blood work and tests to this point have been good, very good. My cardiologist told me that based on that I
have less than a 2% chance of a heart attack in the next 5 years – but there is
family history to consider. So next week
I will have a coronary artery calcium scan to add one more data point. And even after that I will need to be
watchful for the rest of my life – as will my birth children and my nephews and
nieces.
Apparently heart disease is
hereditary. Many years ago, Adam (yes, a
real person, and ancestor to us all) sinned and passed on heart disease to all
of us. We may not all experience the
same symptoms, and some may believe they are not in trouble at all. But they are – and eventually it will catch
up. Fortunately, God, the great
cardiologist, made a way for us to be healed of heart disease.
Romans 5:17 says:
“ For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused
death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift
of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and
death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
Is it time for you to see the
cardiologist?
Never say never
After much thought (but without the
result of forming an exploratory committee) I have decided to run this
fall. I have entered the Columbus Marathon
which takes place on October 21. After
Pittsburgh I thought that would be my last – but …
Today is Greg’s 52nd birthday – He is
spending his birthday in heaven and I miss him dearly. Greg – we still have a race to run together and
I look forward to that day. I have been amazed at the lives you have
touched here on earth and pray that I can make such an impact as well.
Run On…
