Your Point of View - Share Your Stories

"In March 2005 I watched my younger sister Lyndell complete her first Ironman. I was completely inspired and motivated by her achievement, and as she crossed the finishing line all I could think of was wow!!! That evening the decision to embark on my own Ironman journey was made - I was 120kg's at the time, almost diabetic and the thought of taking on an event of this magnitude completely scared the hell out of me.

Nearly two years later, 50kg's lighter, fit and healthy and with more energy than a child on Coca Cola I completed my first Ironman in March 2007 in a time of 16 hours and 31 minutes.

My Ironman finish was truly the most exhilarating experience of my life. The crowds, the applause, the sea of smiling faces were all there to greet my daughter and I as we walked hand in hand towards the finish line. I was simply beaming with pride and for a moment I looked down at my 7 year old daughter to see if she was okay - I found her simply gazing up at me in absolute awe. She had suddenly realised what her mother had achieved that day and I guess she was just simply amazed by my efforts - of course the look she gave me turned me into a blubbering mess - not a great look to have for your Finisher's photo!

It is amazing what one can do when you have your health and fitness - life becomes one big lollie shop from which you can pick and choose your activity of choice. I have learnt never to take my health for granted and to treasure and live each day as if it were my last..... a cliche I know.

As a previously obese person I know that had I continued with my unhealthy lifestyle I would eventually be destined to become one of the four New Zealand women that die each day as a result of heart disease - particularly given the fact that heart disease is prevalent in my family.

I have decided to embark on a project of raising $50,000 in support of the Heart Foundation. Through my efforts I hope to help this fantastic organisation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

The Heart Foundation needs not just mine but your support as well so, help me as I join the race to beat heart disease.

I've signed up as a Heart Racer. Here's the link. www.heartracer.org.nz/dezmamcgregor

"Both of my parents had a history of heart disease. My mum's brother died at 41 and my father died from hardening of the arteries at 61 ... his brother similarly. My brother started having heart problems at 60. He initially had heart bypass surgery and a valve transplant. Last year, at age 73, they replaced his aorta as it was enlarged and close to bursting point. I went to Australia to look after him and the day he came out of hospital the surgeon told me to have a check-up.

I laughed and said there was nothing wrong with me, left it for a year and had still done nothing about it. In June this year I went to my GP for a flu injection and decided to have my heart health checked. I had some tests the next day and passed with flying colours. My doctor said that for a woman of 64 I was fine. My blood pressure was also fine.

But because of my family history he suggested further tests - which I had. That was the Friday. He phoned on the Monday requesting to see me. I had significant blockages in my coronary arteries and I would have to have bypass surgery if they got much worse.

I got such a shock - I thought I was invincible. It wasn't as if I was given the death sentence because I had a choice. But if I had not taken heed of what my doctor said, a death sentence may have been looming up on me.

So gone from my diet are high fat dairy products, white wine, and fat and skin off meats and poultry. More fruit and vegetables, more exercise and far more attention to general health are on the menu these days.

Now all my friends are rushing off and going to their doctor and I'd encourage any woman to do likewise. I'm like a little evangelist! I'm spreading the word and it has really got my friends thinking about their health, so they're going off to see their doctors.

Even my daughter is off to have her heart health checked. She says she wants to be around in 40 years. I want to be around for a long time too.

You know, it's still hard to comprehend. I've always led a busy life. Always been on the go rushing here and there - whether in business or running around after family.

I was one of those people that had no idea anything was wrong but I've been given another chance and I'm loving life."

"Unfortunately, my family history shows a genetic predisposition to heart disease, which, along with ethnicity and age, is one of the risk factors that you can't change.  After my heart attack I completed a full cardiac rehabilitation programme, and soon returned to my daily exercise routine.  I'm pleased to say that I have walked several half marathon events since, including the adidas Auckland Marathon twice, as Heart Foundation Heart Racer.

Almost four years on from that fateful day, rather than feeling defeated, I work hard to stay healthy.  I exercise regularly, I eat heart-healthy food, I don't smoke and I take prescribed medications.  But the best thing about the whole episode was inspiring others to get out there and get walking - I take every opportunity to encourage people to look after their health.  Heart disease affects so many men and women in New Zealand and sadly also their loved ones. But the good news is that you can do something about it, and it starts with taking steps towards reducing your risk."

"I have always been active, busy and lively. I love to renovate houses, to entertain and prepare meals for friends and my husband's business associates. Cooking 'big', I have often catered at home for 30 or 40 people at a time!  In addition to all this activity and on a spiritual level, for more than 15 years I was part of a children's ministry which demanded a lot of preparation and energetic output. With family in Australia and the USA, I also travelled overseas every year to see someone.

Five years ago however, I suffered a heart attack which left me devoid of energy and fairly depressed. Tiredness and lack of vigour overwhelmed me easily and the daily routine went out the window. There had been no symptoms except that, for a few months before, I had shortness of breath and felt a bit tired. However, I dismissed these signs not thinking they were anything to worry about.  It was just after Christmas and I had been so busy.... I thought I needed a holiday.

I never thought that I would suffer a heart attack. I have always been strong, positive and reasonably healthy.  I did not consider that I would be at risk of heart disease, because although I was a smoker, for many years I ''only'' smoked 2-3 cigarettes a day! I lied to myself thinking that such a small amount of tar was not likely to be a problem. In fact I knew little about the horrific effects tar has on the circulatory system, because all I had studied and read focused on the effects of nicotine addiction, and not on the clumping of lipids in the bloodstream. I am pleased to say I am now 100% smoke free!

Suffering a heart attack changed everything. At first I could not hold up a tea cup without holding on to something!  In the next few years I cycled between self condemnation and pity parties....but after procrastinating for five years, I learnt about the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and decide to act.

After consulting with my doctor and undergoing an assessment, I got a referral.  I started a programme at the Auckland University Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic which has brought a real change. Since there is constant monitoring of heart rate, effort and blood pressure, I have little fear of overdoing it. The members of staff with whom I interact help me to review my fitness goals on a visit-by-visit basis.  The atmosphere is pleasant and even though I don't love exercising and sweating-off the weight, it is encouraging to be achieving measurable increased levels of fitness helped by such support in every visit.

After so many years of neglecting my fitness and feeling poorly, the horror of the heart attack is a fading memory! I know that through fitness rehab, weight loss, good eating and commitment to consistent follow-through, there is light at the end of my tunnel."