It was sad to hear that Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and the moderator of "Meet the Press," died Friday after suffering a heart attack. I enjoyed his show and he seemed like a good guy. I only wish that being a nice guy and good person could decrease your chances of having a heart attack. Unfortunately, it does not. However, there are strategies that you can can use to decrease your heart attack risks.
Tim Russert's Risk Factors
Mr. Russert was:
- Visibly overweight, had
- Diabetes,
- Coronary artery disease,
- High cholesterol,
- High blood pressure, and he had what appeared to be a
- Stressful job, that demanded
- Many hours of his time
That is the life the average American 50 years of age or older is living. We all just think that it's healthy because we are all living that way. However, that lifestyle is the formula for a heart attack and an premature death.
Risk Factors
This does not have to happen. Some risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, the other risk factors can be prevented, eliminated, and/or controlled.
Modifiable risk factors:
- Tobacco smoke
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity and overweight
- Diabetes mellitus
- Excessive stress
- Excessive alcohol consumption
What You Can Do
You should start by adopting:
- A healthy nutrition plan that limits "bad" fats and "bad" carbohydrates
- A healthy activity plan that includes strength training and cardiovascular exercises
- A smoke-free lifestyle
- A healthy sleeping pattern where you get 7 - 9 hours of "good" sleep, and
- A low-stress lifestyle
Next you should focus on getting to a healthy weight with a Body Mass Index of less than 25.
Mr. Russert died prematurely from lifestyle-related diseases. He was a victim of an unhealthy nutrition and activity plan. Tim Russert's death was sad, but could have and should have been prevented. He was a victim of poor lifestyle choices. Mr. Russert's unfortunate death should be a reminder to all of us that the choices we make today can have a lasting effect on our future.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people to serve as examples to us all. Start changing your life today, otherwise Tim Russert would have died in vain.Start losing weight today without breaking the bank using Dr. Kal's Don't Go Broke Diet.
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**Please consult your physician, registered dietitian, or certified fitness professional before starting or changing your diet or exercise program.**
