Great advice from sweetwaterguy. I was a heavy drinker and smoker until 31 when i ended being taken by ambulance to the cardiac ward. here I am 27 years later still going strong but with a massive change in lifestyle - i am even a veggie and have ben for years.
Take sweetwaterguy's avdice but do it now - don't end up like I did - it really does work.
I still have problems but my healthy lifestyle gives me a lot more good days then bad and you are young with lots of good years ahead.
dave
P.S. Do not do those diet pills and check on any other pharmaceutical before trying for weight loss, as those can speed up the heart. Lose the weight by cutting back the calories and exercise, good old fashioned way.
I also am hispanic. I was placed on Atenolol a year ago for a fast heart rate. I'm 44 yo, 5'8", 185 lbs right now (I was as high as 202). I have lost the weight over the last year by not lifting heavy weights as much and counting my calories. I have also cut back on the fast food a bit. I did get to 181, but have gained some weight recently. I would like to get to 175 at least and probably lower than that. I agree with sweetwaterguy. Try to start losing weight and start an exercise program that you can stick with or adapt a healthier lifestyle. Your age is on your side, however, if is very important to lose the weight and quit smoking. How about Weight Watcher's or something. I joined them online (didn't want to go to meetings) but they cut calories back too far for me. But they are very successful. I swim, ride a bike, walk, lift weights probably once per week (pretty light), do the elliptical machine, stair climber, and rowing machine once in a while. By doing all of this cross training, I have been able to avoid injury, somewhat. Lord willing, I am improving my cardiovascular fitness. Both of my parents are prediabetic (in their sixties) and as hispanics, we are more prone to type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented, perhaps, by attaining a healthy weight. To quote sweetwaterguy "It is committment and just doing it". Well said. Best wishes miamilatin and let us know how you are doing.
Individually, obesety and smoking are huge risk factors for early heart disease. If you are still smoking, the combination of the two are especially dangerous. I am sure you already know that.
Making a lifetime commitment to good health is easy to do, but difficult to practice--particularly if you are off to a rocky start. But it can be done. What ever it takes to get your weight down to healthy levels--do it. What ever it takes to quit smoking (if you haven't)--do it. And do what ever it takes to get control of your anxiety.
Your age is a positive. You have time if you get started now to reverse any of the negative health effects from the issues you raise. I should end by wishing you good luck, but luck is not what is required. It is commitment and just doing it.