Four years ago, on my birthday, I received 3 stents in my heart.I went for a run one morning and didn’t feel right. 3 doctors and 5 days later, I found myself forever changed and thanks to advances in medicine still alive and stronger than before.
My pulse, blood pressure and EKG were all fine. Everyone told me, “Your young your fit your female, your fine.” Trust your instincts,you know your body better than anyone. I danced professionally for many years and I knew that I was not “fine” nor was the feeling that my heart was beating in my throat. I refused to “come back next week for a heart monitor and demanded an Echo Stress Test during the appointment that I had scheduled. Your life is worth fighting for! I received an echo stress test and an angiogram. I worried, prayed, meditated and counted backwards till I was out.
Hours later when I woke up, Dr. Coppola came in to see me. He said, “Your an angel. In thirty years as a cardiologist, I’ve never seen a heart like yours. So strong. Both of your arteries were blocked. I had to put three stents in your heart immediately. It’s a miracle that you had this for five days and are still here. The only explanation I can give, is that all your years of exercise created other passageways for blood to flow but still, amazing.”
Shock washed over me as I tried to process that I was forever changed. Dr. Coppola said, “The good news, your young, strong and with these latest generation of stents you will only need Plavex for a year.
With the help of few more doctors and the cardio rehab program at NYU Langone, I lost some stress related weight I had been carrying and was able to run the AHA Wall a Street 5K just 9 months after the stents were put in.
Do the things you value as much as possible. Spend time with people and animals that make you happy.
I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I run 5k 4 times a week along with some other exercise. I have a gluten free, vegan diet and want to share my story to raise awareness and hopefully help others. I’m grateful for the advances in medicine that gave me a new lease on life. I run, because I still can!
Imagine the impact if we reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by 2020! I’m participating in the Heart Walk to promote physical activity to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke for my loved ones and me. Please help me reach this lifesaving goal by donating today. Together, we can make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone. Why? … Life, life is why. Thanks in advance for your support.
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/nyc/20160308113532408
Ask Sam
Ask Sam: Interview with Tasha Lacy for Hoop for Your Heart

Tasha Lacy
Bob Harper with Tasha Lacy. Photo Credit Bob Harper
Ask Sam
In Honor of February Heart Awareness Month

Ask Sam
Ask Sam: Interview with CJW


Ask Sam
Ask Sam: I’m back! Better than ever!

It’s been an honor to write this column all these years alongside a privilege to write about various lifestyle topics, especially pertinent to us city dwellers, and have the freedom to speak my mind to all of you in a way I hope made you smile. I could not write all these articles about striving to be our best, unless I understood that our best is an elusive thing.
You can watch Samantha here
We are always growing and changing. The way we balance our wobble board of life is always shifting as we fight to maintain balance. Through the course of this shifting and striving, even if it’s just by a breath, the idea is to be better than yesterday. That’s the best we can do.
I’ve been quiet for a while so that I may put myself through a metamorphosis that has taken me some time to incubate my chrysalis. With a bigger wingspan, I can fly and I am excited to finally be able to share the launch of my rebrand with you!
After a shining 20 years as the director of Polished Social Image Consultants – I took a hiatus to get married, author my book “90 Days to Husband No.2,” develop, reinvent, and remerge as www.samanthabessudodrucker.com – lifestyle genie. “Let me wave my wand!”
30 years ago, I started out as an actress and ballroom dancer. Morphed into a makeup artist and stylist, then became a celebrity image consultant for 20 years with clients from around the world including 2 royal families. I took some time off to design a new chapter after marrying my 2nd husband – architect Jeffery Drucker, rebrand, and develop projects that allow me to reach a greater audience.
As a Lifestyle Genie, I help people become the best version of themselves in all aspects, including image, wardrobe, grooming, style, and beauty. Alongside etiquette, social grace, communication skills, romantic advice, and interior design.
I am delighted to be back.
https://youtube.com/shorts/F2hkek6L_MA?feature=share
Ask Sam
2022 Wall Street Run & Heart Walk With Samantha Bessudo Drucker

On my 41st birthday – I received three stents in my heart.
It was after an eight-week hiatus from running due to injury, and I could not wait to get back to it. I was 10 minutes into a run when I didn’t feel right. It felt like my heart was beating in my throat and there was a pulsing sensation in my muscles that felt like fatigue after an exhausting workout.
Two days later while visiting the dentist, I told him everything that was happening to me. He wanted me to see a doctor right away. I visited a local clinic that ran tests. My pulse, blood pressure and EKG all came back normal. Everyone told me, ”You’re young, you’re fit, you’re female, you’re fine.” Writing it off as an anxiety attack, they actually gave me a prescription for Klonopin. But with hereditary high cholesterol and both my parents having heart attacks, I demanded an Echo Stress Test. I was scheduled for an angiogram the next day.
Hours later when I woke up, Dr. Coppola came into see me. He said, “In my 30 years as a cardiologist, I’ve never seen a heart like yours. Both of your arteries were blocked. I had to put three stents in your heart immediately. It’s a miracle that you are still here after having a heart attack in progress the past five days. The only explanation I can give is that your years as an athlete created other passageways for blood to flow.”
Shock washed over me as I processed what he was saying. Dr. Coppola continued telling me that I was young and strong and would be okay. – Best birthday present ever!
I started the cardiac rehab program at NYU Langone, where I did cardio attached to a monitor to strengthen my heart again. It gave me the confidence to push myself and get back to my former athletic self. I was able to run the AHA Wall Street 5K, just nine months after the stents were put in. I no longer felt like a victim due to my diagnosis.
Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. I beat the odds. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I exercise 4 to 5 times a week. I follow a gluten-free and plant-based diet. I spend time with people and animals that make me happy. I realize how precious life is.
I was asked to be a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. I was honored to be asked to share my story and help raise awareness about heart disease. I’m grateful for the advances in medicine that gave me a new lease on life.
When it comes to your health, I tell everyone to trust his, her or their instincts. No one knows your body better than you. I want to continue to share my personal experience and encourage people to make their heart a priority. Life is why.
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