Two people I care for just had quadruple bypass surgery.

One younger, one older.   Neither suspected life’s pause button would interrupt their routine.  Now both cling to a stuffed pillow when they cough – an aid to hold the chest together as it heals.

The heart stops for hours during the procedure.  Pumps circulate life-giving blood and drain fluids the body produces to fight surgery’s assaults.  Yet within a day most patients sit up; the next they are walking.  This miracle is performed in the US over half a million times annually, from rural hospitals to major medical centers.

Lifestyle changes are your first defense against heart disease. A great time to take the first step is now.  The American Heart Association lists heart health risks here, and Walgreens is offering you or someone you care about FREE blood pressure tests all month long.