Mark was only 38 when he found out he had high blood pressure. His mother had it, his grandfather had it when he was alive, and his older brother had it too. Mark just didn't think it was that big a deal, or that there was anything you could do about it. You just take medicine, right?

Mark's wife, mother and friends were alarmed. They wanted Mark to take the situation seriously and do something about his lifestyle. But Mark thought they were all just being hysterical over nothing. He had no intention of giving up chicken wings or walking around the neighborhood with all the retired guys. He was too busy.

But then Mark's older brother Frank, who had a heart attack when he was 43, called him to discuss the situation.

Read the dialogue below or Click the box to hear their Conversation:

Narrative:

Frank: Hey, Mark. I heard from mom that you’ve got high blood pressure and you’re not taking it seriously, so she asked me to call you.

Mark: Yes. She is on me to be "serious". I’m taking the medicine that the doctor gave me. What else does she want?

Frank: Well, after my heart attack I found out that there are things you can do besides just take your meds. In fact, taking your medicine will only take care of part of the problem. You have to learn to eat differently and get off the couch too.

Mark: This from someone who can still be found at the Wing Hut eating a plate of chicken wings!

Frank: Yes, you too can still eat chicken wings and have a healthy heart. If I email you some articles my doc gave me, will you at least read them?

Mark: Ok – but if I read them you owe me lunch at the Wing Hut.

Frank: Deal!

Narrator: By agreeing to check out the information his brother is sending him, Mark is willing to accept the Challenge. By accepting the Challenge Mark moves out of the first stage of change and begins his journey to Awareness.