Heart Week: Healthy new life sets Sam up well

CONFIDENCE: Sam Tahana had a heart attack three years ago but is back loving life again. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 060214SP20

After having a heart attack about three years ago, Rotorua's Sam Tahana wasn't sure if he would make it.

However, with help from the Heart Foundation and Korowai Aroha Health Centre, he began to recover.

"It affected me quite badly and took a lot of confidence away from me. I felt like I didn't really want to carry on," he said.

"They have got my confidence back up and have given me a lot of hope. At the moment, I am doing a lot of programmes, a lot of nutrition programmes and dieting and exercising and it is wonderful for me.

"I'm feeling on top of the world at the moment and have just been told that I could be diabetes free if I keep up with what I am doing at the moment."

Tahana said it was important to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the chances of suffering from heart disease.

He said a heart attack came as a complete surprise to most people, but there was certainly life after having one. "You have to believe in yourself and believe in how much you can do and just go for it."

He said he was enjoying spending time with his grandchildren and felt ready to go back to work.

"I'm loving having my mokos come around, and seeing them, and taking them out to the beach."

Tahana also said he received brilliant support from his wife after his heart attack.

HEART WEEK

Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies of heart disease.

The Heart Foundation is asking Kiwis to help change this statistic by supporting Heart Week.

The event is the charity's annual appeal which runs from February 10 to 16.

Volunteers will be hitting the pavements around the country next Friday and Saturday for the organisation's street collection.

As a non-profit, non-government organisation, the Heart Foundation relies on the support of New Zealanders.

Funds raised during Heart Week will go toward heart research, programmes to encourage healthy lifestyle changes, and helping people affected by heart disease.

Heart Week is sponsored by New Zealand Post and people can donate in-store at their local post shop.

You can also donate by phoning 0800 830 100, or by texting "Donate" to 849 to make a $3 donation.