Keith Ahrens

What’s your favorite dark chocolate? Dark Chocolate’s been seen as a much “Heart Healthier” choice than light or milk chocolates.  I love dark chocolates. I’m hoping in my travels I’ll get my chance to try different dark chocolates from around the world.

Why Heart Healthy? Dark chocolate contains flavonoids. What are Flavonoids? Flavonoids by definition help protect plants by shielding and masking them from environmental toxins and helping repair damage. When we consume plant-based foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this “antioxidant” power.  We’ve all heard the word Antioxidant.  It seems it’s become a buzzword for heart healthy eating.  Antioxidants seem to help the body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals that are formed by normal bodily processes such as breathing and from environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke. I hate smoking and second hand smoke! When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, damage from free radicals occurs and leads to increases in LDL (“bad)-cholesterol oxidation (oxidized LDL-cholesterol hurts the arteries) and plaque formation on the walls of the arteries.

Now, before we all go out and substitute a big dark chocolate candy bar for fresh broccoli, remember that “Moderation” is the key.  Small amounts, a square if you will, should do the trick. Dark chocolate tends to be high in calories.

I’m still waiting for the fat free, calorie free dark chocolate bar:) – Keith

The National Multiple Sclerosis, Society Colorado / Wyoming Chapter, held their Annual Walk for MS at the Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado.

Walkers chose an amazing 2, 5 or 10-mile hike through this breathtaking ski resort.

I was inspired by several MS survivors who in spite of the physical challenges that MS has bought upon them, hiked a rocky, sloping, wooded path that challenged even the fittest walkers.

Roughly 300 walkers dawned their walking shoes and hiking sticks to take on this amazing walk.

I was so happy that I participated with Team “Infusiasts” (get it: Infusion:)) from Neurological Consultants based here in Denver.  Several of the office staff, friends, family and one of the Doctors proudly formed this team and walked for this great cause.

I send a special “Thank You” to Suzanne Hakar for the invite.  I must say the beauty of the walk was far beyond my expectations.  Copper Mountain is about 75 miles east of Denver.

Get involved; Make a difference in someone else’s life and you may touch your own at the same time. – Keith

I submitted this to the Denver Post as a “Letter to the Editor”.

Recently, a study ranked Colorado as the least obese state with 19.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of adults considered obese.

Don’t celebrate just yet.

Just 16 years ago a rate of 19.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} would have ranked Colorado as the worst or most obese state.  With Colorado’s childhood obesity rate at 14.2{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7}, and growing there are 22 states with lower childhood obesity rates.

These disturbing trends leave no room for misdirection or inaction to promote awareness, prevention and education initiatives and programs.

Obesity is directly linked to Heart Disease, our nations #1 killer.  The financial impact on our health care system is overwhelming and unsustainable.

Preventative health care and education must be accessible and promoted to everyone.  Supporting physical education and healthier nutrition in our schools is essential as well as parental education.

Personal responsibility is the cornerstone to lifestyle change.  Coloradans deserve a healthier future.  Together, we can reverse the trend.  – Keith

I’ve just relocated to Denver Colorado.  The “Mile High” City as its known.  An interesting and beautiful city I must say.  It seems everywhere I go I see walking paths and parks.  Recreation seems to abound here.  Everyone I speak to around the country just loves Denver.  I’ve only heard positive things about this great city.

Someone has taken a special place in my Heart and Soul and I’m looking forward to sharing dreams and opportunities with someone who has already given me so much without ever asking for anything in return.  To be able to love someone and more importantly accept love in return is a major milestone for me. I’m so much in Love:) I will certainly share and blog more about this as time goes by.

I still have my home in Vegas and Maryland but I’ve never been more excited about starting a new chapter in my life.  Being a Co-Chair of the Las Vegas Heart Walk will bring me back to Vegas throughout the year. I will continue my passionate advocacy work with the American Heart Association.

Colorado is ranked #1 as the least obese state with an adult obesity rate of 19.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7}. It is currently the only state under 20{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7}.  This is an interesting statistic in that 20 years ago this number would have been ranked the worst state.  What does this mean to me?  Colorado, as healthy as it projects itself, must ramp up its efforts to prevent the catastrophic numbers that await its youth and adult population that has besieged the country.  My mission of Awareness, Prevention, and Education along with Action seem to be the only way to curb the tide of what awaits this great state if nothing is done.

Cardiovascular Disease doesn’t care about statistics or some pie chart to tell individuals where it will strike.  The only force field against CVD we have as individuals is to eat heart healthy and get regular physical exercise. Regular check ups are equally important.

I’ll keep everyone posted but I’m ready to hit the ground running here. Every33Seconds.org is coming soon to Denver and the Nation:)  – Keith

This is the plate from my old 1996 Harley.  Maybe the plate I picked out 10 years earlier meant something for the future.

Today we had the kick-off party for the Las Vegas Heart Walk.  It was a great event.  I met other survivors and heard many stories on getting a Second Chance.

What 2^nd Chance did you get? “For me, after a Heart Attack, it was another shot at this thing called life” – Keith

It Was July 6, 2007

The room was cold, the lights were bright and the table was hard as steel. The Cardiologist put the catheter in my leg and moved it towards my heart. After injecting the dye. I remember his words of concern as if it were yesterday. He said, “Keith, this is not good…. You have 3 completely occluded arteries…. I’m going to talk to your sister. Soon after he left the room.

I remember shaking. After moving into the recovery room, the cardiologist came to my bedside and told me that I would need immediate open-heart surgery to save my life and correct the problem with my heart. He said the surgeon on duty would be with me soon. After what seemed like hours, the surgeon came to my bedside and confirmed what my cardiologist had told me. That I did need open-heart surgery to save my life, but he also told me the surgery could not be done anytime in the near future…

Much more to the story but this was an excerpt. Outrunning My Shadow: Surviving Open-Heart Surgery and Battling Obesity/The Decision to Change My Life.

This was the day my Angiogram was performed. One of the longest and darkest days of my life. It was also one of the best. – Keith

Click on the thermometer to find out more:

Visit my Heart Walk page.
Please start your own team or join my team “Outrunning My Shadow” for the 2011 American Heart Association Las Vegas Heart Walk.
Feel free to donate to my page or sign up and walk with our team.
If you’re out of state you can certainly sign up and be a virtual walker. I would be honored to walk for you or in honor or memory of a loved one. – Keith

The American Heart Association has featured my survival story as a “Story of Hope” for the month of July on their National Website. What An Honor!

www.Heart.org CLICK HERE to read the article.

The AHA has helped me share my message and join them in their mission to reduce cardiovascular disease throughout the country.

The people that I’ve worked with at the AHA have been amazing. In addition to raising money for medical research and grants, the AHA works in each state and Nationally to pass and assist with Heart Healthy legislation, programs and initiatives.

It’s easy to get involved.  Just visit YoureTheCure.Org and let your voice be heard.

Please feel free to share this post. – Keith

Interactive Store Counter Photo

It’s about time.  This will discourage new smokers and aid as a tool to help others quit.

You need to go to the site below to watch it work.

From the FDA:
This interactive retail counter shows how the new cigarette health warnings will look on packages and advertisements starting by September 2012. The before image shows a convenience store with packs of cigarettes and ads behind the counter. The after image shows the packages with the nine new cigarette health warnings applied.

Use your mouse to drag the slider left or right to see the difference in cigarette packaging and advertisement. You can also use the A and D keys to move left or right.

Click Here to Go to FDA.Gov Site to see the photo

Hands Only CPR. It’s easier than you think.
If a person is down and unresponsive:
1. Call 911
2. Push Hard and Fast on the Chest