Attention fellow heart patients: Do not skip cardio rehab

I just "graduated" from cardio rehab at Mountain View Hospital. I judge it to be one of the more important experiences for me post bypass surgery.

There's something reassuring about being closely monitored as you build back up your endurance over time. In addition, the program also offers a good dose of education on nutrition, stress and diabetes.

Don't take this as a shameless plug for Mountain View hospital. (But, for the record, I got great care there.)

Mountain View is where my cardiologist maintains his office, it's near my house and therefore convenient for a three-times-a-week rehab program. I am sure there are other programs around the valley. And, being a good conservative, I'll refrain from advising you on the consumption of red meat, smoking and obesity. It's your life.

But I won't refrain from hawking the rehab experience. if you've had a heart problem, investigate cardio rehab. It not only worked well for me, it changed my outlook on life for the better.