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+--- Thread: NO SMOKING (/thread-13934.html)
- Skipper the cigar aFISHinodo - 03-20-2007
I thought you'd all find this interesting.
I was recently (& wrongly) diagnosed with a severe heart condition. It turned out to be nothing (overzealous diaphragm got in the way of some image or something)... but... here is the interesting part...
I was told my life was in grave danger. I had to take all sorts of precautions to make it form test to test until I was scheduled for surgery(which was halted thank god after a cardio catheter)... I was asked the mandatory question:
Doc: "Do you smoke?"
I answered: "Cigars".
Doc: "How many?"
Me: "It varies"
Doc: "More than 2 per week?"
Me: "sometimes"
Doc: "Keep it at 2 or less per week until this is over"
& that was with my life in danger, or so he thought.
Bottom line, he doesn't like nicotine. Bad for the arteries, but 2 or less cigars per week is, in his learned opinion, nothing. Now that it is clear I am not in danger, he asked that I keep it to less than 4 per week.
I think I can do that except for herfing!
- fishhound - 03-20-2007
Glad to hear your Doctor was wrong in his diagnosis. How many cigars do you usually smoke a week Skip? I'm curious because I can go from 1 or 2 a week in the winter months to 10 to 15 in the warmer weather. I can't wait till May.
- Skipper the cigar aFISHinodo - 03-20-2007
An absolute minimum of 3 per week. Average in the winter is closer to 4 or 5, 6 or 7 per week in the summer.
I did resolve to make a few changes...
- no chain smoking...
- no smoking in non-ventalated areas (may as well inhale then)
- enjoy my cigar more by smoking it a tad slower.
- Tommy2guns - 03-20-2007
Whew!Skip i am certainly relieved to know you are in good health,I agree with the changes you have made.Of course that does not apply to Herfs
- Bungalowbill - 03-20-2007
good news from a doctor?
hock:in all seriousness, really great to hear that news, skipper. and i agree with smoking in ventilated areas.
just don't let any of the anti-tobacco fascists near that common sense doctor. their heads might explode when their propaganda meets scientific data. matter/anti-matter. kablooie!
smoking slow is key, imho. i read an interview with someone (can't remember who, a cigar manufacturer or something) who phrased it wonderfully. "sip" the smoke. don't just suck in like a shopvac. this keeps the stogie nice and cool, and you can really appreciate the sweeter, earthier flavors. i would take it further and reference scuba diving, where if you try to breathe normally, the pressurized air rushes in way to fast, almost causing hyperventilation. so you've got to "sip" it.
- bartok - 03-20-2007
I'm glad to hear you're doing fine, Skip!
[user=35]Skipper the cigar aFISHinodo[/user] wrote:
Quote:Bottom line, he doesn't like nicotine. Bad for the arteries, but 2 or less cigars per week is, in his learned opinion, nothing. Now that it is clear I am not in danger, he asked that I keep it to less than 4 per week.In my opinion, this makes perfect sense. When I'm biking seriously, I'm very sensitive to anything that can affect my cardiovascular output. I've found that nicotine plays absolute havoc with my heart rate. I typically will lock in on a target heart rate and sustain it within a few bpm for anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. If I've had nicotine, though, it's very hard to get a good lock on it. I tend to cut way back once I start biking, and typically only do it if I know I'm not going to be riding for 2 or 3 days.
I think I can do that except for herfing!
- Bobgun - 03-20-2007
I too got the notice from my Dr. ...Cut way down. I'm already on meds for hypertension and he said the nicotine constricts the blood vessels. Took all kinds of treadmill tests and gamma ray photos and so far so good. Had my first Punch Rare Corojo in a month and boy did it taste good. But its time to close the damper on the chimney a little bit.
Glad you're OK Skip!!!
- novasurf - 03-20-2007
Quote:Now that it is clear I am not in danger, he asked that I keep it to less than 4 per week.
So I'm thinking 4 double coronas or 4 double robustos. Glad to hear you're ok.
- ScrooLoose - 03-20-2007
Man Skip... As someone who's family is genetically linked to heart disease, I know I have to keep my eyes open, so thank God for you it was a near miss!!
We'd have hated to see our Skipper hurtin...
- Headley - 03-20-2007
I love that story Skip. Especially the part of "It turned out to be nothing".
Still amazing that the anti-smoking groups connect all smoking together and are chasing out the cigar shops and clubs in many cases yet a Dr says to cut down to 4 per week. Does that mean I need to increase my intake to get healthier?