Keith Ahrens

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

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

I love to laugh.

I prefer a good comedy or television show that will make me smile or laugh.

A good laugh can send 20{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} more blood flowing through your entire body.

When you laugh, your blood vessels expand and contract just like when you exercise.

When you watch a funny movie for example, your blood flow increases.  Laughter’s a great stress reliever too. Laugh often and help your heart.

I’m waiting for Hangover 2 and hoping it’s funnier than the first.  What movie made you laugh hysterically? – Keith

The American Heart Association’s Las Vegas Heart Ball was held April 30, 2011 at the World Famous Mirage Resort in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hundreds of supporters attended the Gala. Philanthropists, Corporations and Individuals opened up their hearts and checkbooks to save lives and advance the mission of the American Heart Association.

10-month-old fellow survivor Lola Worthen was the guest of honor as her brave mother shared Lola’s story of Survival and Life.

Dozens of items were auctioned off during a silent auction during the cocktail reception and then the grand auction took place with items valued up to $48,000 being auctioned off to the highest bidder all in the name of saving lives.

The Beatles (or their tribute band Yesterday) played all the hits before and during dinner.

Enjoy and please share the video:)

Oh what a night it was. Kudos to the Las Vegas AHA team:) – Keith

The American Heart Association Las Vegas Heart Ball is tomorrow night at the Mirage Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

After returning from Florida I was honored to open my invitation.  My Red Tie is waiting.  This will be my second Heart Ball.

One of The guests of honor will be a 10-month-old little girl named Lola who has already had 2 heart surgeries.  I met this young special fellow survivor and her mom and dad at a Heart Walk committee meeting several weeks ago.  The baby is adorable and full of life (and SMILES).

In addition to having many, many silent auction items up for grabs there will be several large ticket auction items going up during the dinner.  I’ve included a list below for some of the large items for the curiosity seekers.

1. Jason of Beverly Hills Floating Heart Pendant: The winner of this beautiful package receives Full cut floating diamond heart pendant G color VS1 clarity set into 14K gold which is encased within hand cut mineral crystal on a 16 inch polish mesh chain. No return or exchange.

Generously Donated by Jason of Beverly Hills at The Cosmopolitan Hotel  -VALUE: $2,500

2. Bernard Passman Gallery Gift Certificates: This is a series of five $500 certificates totaling $2,500.  These certificates can be redeemed at the Passman of Nevada Gallery in the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas.  This is a wonderful way to start or continue your Passman Gallery Collection. No return or exchange.

Generously Donated by Bernard Passman Gallery at The Venetian Hotel – VALUE: $2,500

3. Batter Up!!: Travel in style to beautiful Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, August 5th . Guests of The Westin Phoenix Hotel will enjoy two rooms for Friday & Saturday night.  On Saturday, August 6th, take in a ballgame like a VIP! Enjoy all the action from a private box that seats up to 12. – No return or exchange. Tickets and hotel stay only good for August 5^th & 6^th.

Generously donated by, Perini Building Company and the Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel. VALUE: $4,000

4. Bernard Passman Gallery Kissed by Design Ring and Earrings 18kt. The ring has .55 ct and the earrings have .70 ct.  This design is a wonderful example of how the diamonds gently kiss the black coral. These are two a beautiful pieces from the Art to Wear collection in the Passman gallery. No return or exchange.

Generously Donated by Bernard Passman Gallery at The Venetian Hotel – VALUE: $6,000

5. Hawaiian Timeshare Getaway from Bay Club: The winner of this incredible package receives a timeshare in Bay Club Waikoloa beginning in 2012 and membership paid to RCI until May 31, 2013. Bi-Annual Maintenance Fees are the responsibility of the purchaser: 1^st Fee Due December 2012: $2,069.23; Trip may only be booked for every other year beginning in 2012.

Generously Donated by The Tanner Family- VALUE: $14,000

6. Bernard Passman Gallery Love & Devotion Heart Pendant: This beautiful pendant and chain is featured in 18kt white gold and contains 1.80 cts, VS Clarity, G-H color diamonds.  The “Love and Devotion” pendant is designed around a rare heart shaped red tourmaline.  Only the highest quality of red tourmalines carry the title “Rubellite”.    This beautiful pendant was created exclusively to honor the American Heart Association. No return or exchange.

Generously Donated by Bernard Passman Gallery at The  Venetian Hotel – VALUE: $10,000

7. Shell Vacation Club Timeshare, Three Weeks… Anywhere in the World! – Resorts all around the world, with 12,000 points you can experience just about any destination you choose every year till 2049.  Experience the lap of luxury at some of the finest resorts.  Use the points all at once or set off on a week’s adventure, three time a year.  Annual Maintenance Fees are the responsibility of the purchaser: $2,537.71; 12,000 points per year until 2049 to be used at any Shell Property in the world. Depending on Resort 4,000 points = one weeks stay.

Generously Donated by The Tanner Family – VALUE: $48,000

As I walked up to the entrance of my local Whole Foods store in Las Vegas I saw this magnificent piece of Artwork.

It was titled “An Affair Of The Heart”.  Coincidentally, I had just come from a conference on Basic and Advanced Life Support and a lecture on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in Adolescents.

The plaque on the artwork said it was dedicated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. As many of you may know, St. Jude’s is one of America’s leading Children’s Cancer hospitals.

What a great piece of art for such a great cause. – Keith

It’s summer time and I’ve had the pleasure to take long walks on a beautiful beach the past few days.

I have an 11” scar in the center of my chest from open-heart surgery almost 4 years ago.

As people walk past me in the opposite direction, one of the few things I think about in my completely unstressed, worry free, creative state of mind is, “What are they thinking”?  What is the first thing that comes to there minds? Does a wife say to a husband, “Look dear, that could be one of us”?  Does a man or women say to themselves that they better take better care of their heart or walk a little further on the sand? Do they think about taking the doctors suggestions from their last visit a little more seriously? Perhaps that night they’ll order a salad for dinner instead of fried shrimp?

I’ll let you know that I am totally OK with people seeing my scar.

I believe it’s a badge of honor for a fight well fought.

Heart disease has consequences and in my case, it’s visual on my chest.

Perhaps my chest serves as a billboard for the Awareness, Prevention, and Education of Heart Disease. – Keith

If thinking about changing your lifestyle is putting too much pressure on you then don’t think about it:)

If you feel like this or know someone who is then you’re probably thinking too “big”. Think smaller.

Too often we think of the task at hand as overwhelming an un-doable.  It’s a very legitimate fear.

You need to think “smaller” and what little things you can do today that are different than yesterday but knowing you can’t fail at them.  Something that is healthier perhaps. It could be activity or nutrition or both. This way of thinking is certainly an easier way to build momentum for yourself. Momentum is a great thing once you start moving.  It can also be real bad when we’re moving in a poor direction.

Perhaps it’s walking to the front door or to the mailbox each day or taking the stairs at work.  Maybe it’s ordering a sandwich with mustard instead of mayonnaise or a salad with plain balsamic vinegar instead of blue cheese dressing. Try grabbing a bottle of water instead of a soda. You know, little things.

If someone told me 4 years ago that I had to lose 200 pounds, well let me tell you I would have tuned them out real quick.  The fact of the matter is I didn’t need to lose 200 pounds, I needed to lose 5 and then another 5 and so on.  I just needed to be able to walk to the mailbox before I could walk around the block. You get the idea.  Little things, doable things, can’t fail at things. – Keith