My grandpa had a heart attack

[fm93]

To be honest, hearing the news wasn't all that surprising. He's been a smoker for more than 40 years, although it's never had any noticeable effects on him, as he's always maintained an otherwise healthy lifestyle: he keeps a balanced diet and observes it carefully, goes for a long walk every day, etc. Despite being nearly 80, his personality and approach to life are impeccable: he's hard-working, patient, calm (in all my years, I've seen him lose his temper once, and it lasted for all of 30 seconds), intelligent, kind, generous. In my observation, old age and its accompanying ailments have never hampered his life to any significant extent (they've always been relatively minor and are treated easily with the medicine that he takes daily)--he tries to make the most of his life, but always with the goal to first help others. His heart is truly something.

But now, the cruel physical world has caught up with him. As I mentioned earlier, he lives a healthy lifestyle that seems to be relatively stress-free (at least, he doesn't show signs of being stressed when I see him), and I don't think there's any family history of heart disease. Given what I've read about risk factors for heart attacks, the only thing that remains is his smoking habit. And it would be bitterly disappointing if his big, wonderful heart was stopped by the one flaw in his lifestyle.

So, depressed rambling aside, I should get to the point: can anyone tell me anything about heart attacks or ways to stop smoking? I've read about this stuff, and I think I already know the basics that school health videos have shown, or are available on websites like WebMD, but any additional information would be appreciated.

Also, I hardly ever ask this, but could you guys please pray that this setback is only temporary and slight, and that hopefully reality has hit him with a jolt hard enough to convince him to finally break the habit?

[Catholicity]

But now, the cruel physical world has caught up with him. As I mentioned earlier, he lives a healthy lifestyle that seems to be relatively stress-free (at least, he doesn't show signs of being stressed when I see him), and I don't think there's any family history of heart disease. Given what I've read about risk factors for heart attacks, the only thing that remains is his smoking habit. And it would be bitterly disappointing if his big, wonderful heart was stopped by the one flaw in his lifestyle.

Believe it or not, your grandfather sounds like he's in relatively great health. Surprisingly, some people can live very good life styles, smoke for years, and have nothing go wrong, then suddenly the ceiling bottoms out. Geneticall speaking your grandfather just may have a good genetic heart. At this point though, age 80, he has to make his own life style choices. If he wants to live however long he has being relatively healthy and a smoker and make decent choices, on "his time" then he can, and well, as hard as it is to hear...at 80, you just let him.
But, if he wants to quit, don't push, don't call, don't write. Ask grandpa how you can be of help. Respect boundaries and be nice to him....but don't "inflict" help. That is between him, his doctor and the nurses to discuss.