Welcome to Piggy Pats B-B-Q
A "True southern BBQ" restaurant.

We haven't sent a newsletter in awhile, but I can explain.

On Jan.18th while visiting Brenda's (my wife) family in SC, I suffered a major heart attack.

Without boring you with a lot of details, I had 100% blockage in a major artery of my heart with virtually no warning.

The MAIN reasons I'm alive today:  God, Brenda's quick thinking (God bless nurses), a good cardiac hospital (Carolinas Hosp. in Florence, SC) nearby and the physical condition of my heart. 

I'll explain.  The reason I had my heart attack was generic.  I've always known it was in my family.  I take cholesterol medicine and get regular checkups.  I don't smoke, drink very little alcohol, not overweight, careful about what I eat and exercise like crazy.  It's the genetics stupid!

When you exercise a lot like I do (6000 miles this year on a bicycle, weight training, cross country skiing, former marathon runner--I'm addicted) your heart builds a collateral circulation.  This secondary supply of blood kept me alive until the doctors could open the main coronary artery back up with a stent.  I'm in a cardiac rehab program and expect to make a full recovery.

As my generation (Boomers) ages, health becomes more and more an issue.  We can still do most of the things we like: food (yes, BBQ) and drink in moderation, no smoking, exercise and getting a stress test if you haven't had one.

I promise I won't preach in anymore newsletters.  I'm gonna be around for a long time and I want you to be, also.  Thanks to those of you (you know who you are) who sent cards, e-mails, kind words and prayers.

Genetics caused my heart attack.  Cycling helped me survive my heart attack.

Thanks,

Pat