Day 18 - Psychologically Challenging
Days 8–17 were quiet. Day 18 was not. I went through an echocardiogram and a pharmacological heart stress test — and got results that answered some questions while opening up a lot of new ones.
Day 7 - Not Much to Share
Day 6 of the heart health journey — morning BP came in at 145/86, a quiet day in the shop, an Instant Pot arrival, a surprisingly decent homemade pizza, and an evening reading of 122/74 to close things out right.
Day 6 - Back to Work
Day 6 - Back in the Shop — new Roasted Ash serving boards, a 130/77 blood pressure reading, and the first real sense that things are turning around.
Day 5: Best Sleep Yet, BP Dropping & Back to the Shop
Day 5 brings the best sleep yet, a dropping blood pressure reading, and a cautious but exciting return to outdoor activity — with the shop calling my name for tomorrow.
Day 4: Better Sleep, Dropping BP, and Revamping the Fridge
Day 4 brings the best sleep in months, a BP reading trending in the right direction, and a full grocery store overhaul for the DASH diet. Plus — Sparky discovers he's lost over 40 pounds and takes his first easy walk in a long time.
Day 3: Blood Results, BP Progress, and Learning to Cook Without Salt
Day 3 brings encouraging news — blood results look mostly good, BP is trending down, and Sparky is navigating the DASH diet one pepper-loaded meal at a time. A personal story about salt, sacrifice, and following in his dad's footsteps.
Day 2: Meeting My Cardiologist and the Wake-Up Call I Needed
Day 2 brought my first meeting with my cardiologist, Doc R, and a sobering reality check about years of unaddressed high blood pressure. A heartfelt reminder — from someone who really doesn't like doctors — to get regular checkups and find a primary care physician you trust.
Sparky's Heart - Day 1
I've been told I have a big heart. I can't say I've ever identified with that statement, but science has proven thi...