Gym Cracks By Jim July 11, 2002 KILE DEATH SHEDS LIGHT Heart disease in spotlight, as Babe takes a personal look at the silent killer. By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Western Nebraska The baseball world was saddened by Darryl Kile's death at the early age of 33. I don't have the information on Mr. Kile's lifestyle, but being a professional athlete he would not be classified as a couch potato. Reports on his death indicated he weighed 212 pounds. Not too many pounds for a 6'5" frame. Being a major league pitcher, he certainly was involved in physical activity. So, why did he die so young? I'm assuming there is a four-letter word involved--gene(s). His father had died of heart disease in his 40s. I've thought of Mr. Kile a number of times since his death. My father, too, died at an early age. His death certificate states "heart attack." I think of my father, too. Since he did not smoke and worked at a blue collar labor job, I've surmised he was not fortunate to inherit longevity genes. In my twenties, I became a life-long devotee of cardiovascular exercise. I enjoy exercising, but would I have devoted 1000-2200 miles a year if I thought I had inherited good genes? Probably not! I was a jogger (back in the 60s) before it was fashionable. Some people thought I was a little "different." Running a six-mile route at 5:30 a.m. was not the typical behavior of the the 1960s. There were those who encouraged me to jog, Dr. Curtiss, our family doctor, Drs Lackey and Fyfe, on the staff at what was then known as Kearney State College, and my son Jim. I still have a picture young Jim drew for me for a birthday present. It shows a stick figure of an individual jogging. The caption reads, "Some people think you are weird dad, but I don't." Whatever my reasons for my cardiovascular exercise were, my goal each calendar year was to jog 1000 miles. Then in January 1999 (I was in my 60s), I was in a fitness center doing squats. The weights were light, but after doing three-four repetitions, I had a difficult time catching my breath. I had this experience several times and then one cold February morning Wilton, our Dandie Dimont Terrier, and I were walking up a physically demanding hill when I felt I needed to rest. Wisely I turned around and headed for home. My wife Marcia was adamant I consult a doctor. Medical tests indicated I had a problem. A diagnostic procedure was scheduled at the hospital in Scottsbluff, NE, by a surgeon from Denver, CO. I fasted and was prepared for the injection of dye. After waiting a considerable time in my backless gown, I was informed the doctor could not make the trip because of inclement weather. I was given a prescription of Nitrostat and re-scheduled for a later date. My part-time job took me 60-miles from a hospital, so while I waited my re-scheduled appointment, I had some uneasy moments. My diagnosis: a blocked artery. So off to Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital in Denver during May 1999. An angioplasty was performed. A device is inserted in the groin area and when it nears the blocked artery, the device balloons to open the artery. A stent was inserted to keep the artery open. Medical personnel indicated I would feel better immediately, but I didn't. In September 1999, another scan indicated the same artery blocked. This procedure was at the St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. I still didn't feel well. I made a couple more trips to the cardiologist. I was assured I would feel better in the future. I had scheduled a second opinion with an Omaha cardiologist on February 2, 2002. That morning I had walked two miles. While shaving I felt discomfort in my chest area. The discomfort persisted. My wife said that we are going to the hospital. She drove the 12-miles to the hospital in her VW Bug at a high rate of speed. I underwent tests and in the afternoon, the doctor informed me I had suffered a heart attack. That evening I made the 120-mile trip via ambulance to Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, NE. On February 4, 2002, I underwent by-pass surgery. A vein taken from the chest cavity was utilized for the place of the collapsed one. Two days later I was released from the hospital. Since my marriage to Marcia 15 years ago, we have eaten a diet of vegetables and fruits with little red meat. One doesn't say much about not eating meat in the cattle raising states of Nebraska and Wyoming. I do like "sweets," but except for a short period of my life when I was a doughnut-a-day man, I limit myself to several low-fat sweets a week. True, I was under some stress in my job, but most jobs have some degree of stress. I did exercise most days, which helped me in relieving stress and in my recuperation. Still I experienced heart disease. Once again the four letter word--gene(s). My sister (in her 50s) had a quadruple by-pass. Will YOU have heart disease? Your inherited genes will be the major factor in determining that answer, but eating a proper diet and exercising will help you live a longer life. Medical personnel tell me I would have experienced heart disease in my 40s had I not followed my cardiovascular exercise routine throughout my lifetime. Marcia prepares excellent, delicious low-fat meals. Most days we do have the 5-9 recommended vegetables and fruits. Boca Burgers appear regularly on the menu. Jazz up the Morningstar Spicy Black Bean patty with relish and mustard and you have a good edible sandwich. True it's not hamburger, but it's healthy. Even with a healthy diet and a daily exercise routine, Zocor has been prescribed to keep my cholesterol count low. My goal in life is to reach 100 years of age. Darryl Kile's life was cut short because he was not aware of the plaque buildup in his arteries. I was not aware of the plaque buildup in my circulatory system for many years. What about yours? Look for a new Gym Cracks by Jim every week on MissingNebraska.com Previous Gym Cracks: 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks Feedback