What Dissolves Artery Plaque
HDL is like a vacuum cleaner for cholesterol in the body. When its at healthy levels in your blood, it removes extra cholesterol and plaque buildup in your arteries and then sends it to your liver. Your liver expels it from your body. Ultimately, this helps reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
He Has Said Goodbye To Intense Workouts
This longtime CrossFit enthusiast admits that modifying his fitness routine was not an easy adjustment. I was the guy who was posting these workouts of myself in the gym doing these really crazy things, but Im not able to do that anymore, he says. And its okay. Ive cut myself slack, which is a new thing for me.
He labels his current workouts as mid-intensity with a longer time domain, meaning Im working out a little longer to condition more heart, to keep my heart rate upthats what I learned in my cardiac rehab, continues Harper. They want me to keep my heart rate up for about 30 to 45 minutes, but not too intense.
Plus, hes added other forms of exercise to his lifestyle. I walk a lot with my dogs here in the city , Im doing a lot of yoga, and Ive been wanting to incorporate boxingthats my challenge for 2018. And hes no longer sweating it out every single day . I used to be very regimentedI knew how I was going to work out on Monday, I knew what I was going to do every day following. But now its a little more relaxed.
What Is A Widow
The anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery, , or anterior descending branch) is a branch of the left coronary artery. The coronary arteries supply the heart muscles with oxygenated blood. Blockage of this artery is often called the widow-maker infarction.
This term is used because the left main coronary, and/or the left anterior descending supply blood to large areas of the heart. This means that if these arteries are abruptly and completely occluded it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to sudden death. The blockage that kills is made up of platelets streaming to the site of a ruptured cholesterol plaque. Even a small amount of plaque in this area can rupture and cause death.
Also Check: How To Calculate Target Heart Rate Zone
‘biggest Loser’ Trainer Bob Harper’s Heart Attack: Why It Can Happen To Anyone
Can a heart attack happen even if you are relatively young and fit? Yes, and genetics can play a role.
Biggest Loser host and personal trainer Bob Harper is recovering from a heart attack that left him unconscious for two days, People reported today. The fitness celeb reportedly collapsed two weeks ago while working out at the gym, and was recently released from the hospital after an eight-day stay.
But Harper, 51, is hardly your typical heart attack victim: Hes relatively young, hes super-fit, and hes built his career on getting people healthy. Although the specifics of his experience havent been shared, we do know one thing: Its an important reminder that even people with no obvious risk factors can still have underlying heart disease or problems.
A persons heart disease risk is affected by both environment and genetics, explains Pankaj Arora MD, assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. So its possible for someone with a family history of heart problems to live an extremely healthy lifestylestaying active, eating well, not smokingand still have an elevated risk. In fact, Harper does blame genetics for his recent event, saying his mother died young from a heart attack.
RELATED: 17 Worst Habits for Your Heart
RELATED: 8 Causes of Chest Pain That Aren’t a Heart Attack
Bob Harper Shares All The Ways His Life Has Changed Following His Heart Attack
Image Source: Getty / Ray Tamarra
Bob Harper is known for his contagious energy, ruthless training tactics, and ability to transform contestants’ bodies on The Biggest Loser, but when he suffered a heart attack in February, his life was flipped upside down. Now, Bob, who has recently partnered with Kohl’s, is opening up about how much his life has changed, and spoiler alert, it’s a lot, so much so that Bob has called it “a metamorphosis.”
Don’t Miss: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
Bob Harper On Road To Recovery 50 Days After Shocking Heart Attack
During sudden cardiac arrest which is caused when the heart’s electrical system suddenly malfunctions the heart stops beating and blood is no longer pumping through the body or the brain. Death can occur within minutes. Harper probably survived the event because of his excellent physical fitness and the immediate medical attention.
However, the fact that he was in such terrific shape also made having a heart attack at 51 that much more stunning.
“It was hugely shocking for me,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned a lot about the fact that genetics played a part in this. It is so important to know your health.”
Harper encouraged others to get regular check-ups even if they are dedicated to fitness like him.
More than 326,000 people suffer an out-of-the-hospital sudden cardiac arrest each year, according to the American Heart Association. The survival is an estimated 10 percent, although that may increase to about 30 percent if treated quickly with a defibrillator, as Harper was.
Cardiac arrest can also occur without warning, although Harper now recalls having dizzy spells in the weeks prior. He has a family history of heart disease his mother died of a heart attack.
When Will The Biggest Loser Return
Bob is the first person who comes to mind when we think of The Biggest Loser, so we were itching to ask him about the show and if after 17 inspiring seasons we’d be getting more. He told us that there have been talks of The Biggest Loser coming back, but probably not anytime soon “we just need to rest that show a little bit,” he said.
Don’t Miss: Tylenol Heart Rate
Trainer Bob Harper Had A Heart Attack: Does This Mean Were All Doomed
5 years ago |
Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder
When a fitness guru suffers from a heart attack, where does that leave the rest of us? Thats what Bob Harpers heart attack, just a few weeks ago, is leaving many people wondering. You may know Bob Harper, 51, as star trainer turned host from NBCs The Biggest Loser. He has authored several weight loss books and appeared in workout DVDs.
Its been reported Harper suffered from a heart attack while working out in a New York City gym. A doctor sprung into action, administering CPR and using a defibrillator. He remained unconscious for two days and eventually woke up in the hospital. Harper says genetics are to blame. His mom suddenly died from a heart attack.
Now, Harper says hes feeling better and on the road to recovery, according to recent posts on his social media accounts. A recent post shows him with wires. Im required to wear these monitors to see what my heart is doing throughout the day. I feel like a robot from WESTWORLD, the post says.
While Harper sounds optimistic, spectators from the general public does not know what to make of this. Here are just a few examples of comments from the TMZ article about the incident:
So does family history seal our fate?
Whole genome sequencing may give you a better picture of your genetic predispositions, which may not only help you to make informed choices but those in your family as well. Read about our experience with the test here.
Enjoy Your Healthy Life!
Tags
Getting To The Heart Of The Matter
Coronary artery disease is the most common kind of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States.
It occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle itself become narrowed by a build up of plaque. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances from the blood.
Narrowing of the arteries leads to a decrease in blood supply to the heart muscle. This can lead to the symptoms of chest pain or even heart attack if the narrowing is severe enough, or if part of the plaque breaks off and blocks a smaller part of the artery.
Don’t Miss: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Clean Out Your Arteries
The high-density cholesterol in your body, or good cholesterol, removes bad cholesterol from your arteries and helps fight heart attacks and strokes. By consuming the vinegar, youre increasing bile production and helping support your liver, which are both very important for processing and creating good cholesterol.
So What About Caffeine And Alcohol
For Bob, soda is undoubtedly “a big no” for him. But the mainstay that he had to cut out immediately was Bulletproof coffee, which he used to love. “It was just butter and fat,” he said. On his new diet, watching fat intake is key, and it’s something his doctors play a part in monitoring.
Not to worry: he’s got a stand-in! Bob’s a huge fan of LaCroix. Stars, they’re just like us! The “addiction is really strong,” and we can totally relate. “And I still like my wine,” Bob shared duh.
Read Also: Can Constipation Cause Heart Palpitations
‘biggest Loser’ Host Bob Harper: I’m Healing After Heart Attack
As a trainer and host of NBCâs hit show The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper seems to be the picture of health. However, after reports that the 51-year-old recently had a serious heart attack, he took to Instagram to update his followers.
On Monday night, he shared a of himself, writing, âI am feeling better. Just taking it easy.â The photo shows him with his rescue dog Karl, whom he calls âa great nurse.â He also thanked fans for their support. âIt feels good to be cared about,â he says. âIâm lucky to have such good friends and family to care of me right now.â
A second post, which he captioned âon the road to recovery,â shows Harper wearing heart monitors. âIâm required to wear these monitors to see what my heart is doing throughout the day,â he explains, thanking his followers again for their kind words.
It can be surprising to learn that a health and fitness professional has had a heart attack. âSome peopleâs hearts are more prone to dangerous heart rhythms due to structural or electrical heart abnormalities, regardless of whether their heart has blockages that might cause a heart attack,â says James Beckerman, MD, a cardiologist in Portland, OR.
To cut your chance of having heart disease, you can manage your blood pressure, control cholesterol, be active, eat healthy, lose excess weight, and quit smoking.
Weâre glad to see Harperâs doing better, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
He Takes Time Each Day To Focus On Inner Calmness
A three-timeNew York Times bestselling author, Harper regularly practices transcendental meditation , which involves silently repeating a mantra in order to place your body in a state of profound rest and allow your mind to achieve a sense of peace, as defined by the Mayo Clinic. TM, yoga, and my dogs really help me with managing my stress, he emphasizes. I tell people you have to find whatever it is in your life that you can do to turn off the white noise, just for a few minutes. If it means sitting with your phone off for five or ten minutes and not having to focus on anyone or anything those things are so good for you. It helps your brain, it helps your body.
Don’t Miss: Afrin Heart Palpitations
Weight Loss Is ‘going To Be Controversial’ Harper Said
The show has been the source of much controversy over the years. Research found that former contestants regained the weight they lost on the show, and developed health issues from attempting to lose weight unhealthily.
The foundational elements of the series still focus on weight loss, including public weigh-ins where contestants stand in just their shorts on a scale. They receive results from medical testing on-camera, having to react in real time to the potential health-related consequences of their weight.
This is seriously exploitative, said Rebecca Scritchfield, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and author of “Body Kindness,” a book about developing healthy habits and positive body images without dieting.
“It’s psychologically problematic because of what the contestants going through,” she told Insider. “It’s using the shame of national TV to drive weight loss. The motivation to avoid public humiliation is going to override any desire to take care of yourself.”
Harper said that, behind the scenes, there are safeguards in place to keep the contestants healthy throughout the process, from limitations on how much time they can spend in the gym, to a minimum calorie requirement to make sure no one is eating too little and sacrificing on their nutrition.
However, he expects there will still be a fierce community of critics.
“It’s a multi-billion dollar business because everyone has an opinion and thinks they know more than the other person,” Harper said.
Read more:
What Is Lp And Why Does It Matter
For most of us, “cholesterol” is a value on a lab chart: we know high levels can negatively impact heart health. However, “cholesterol” is often used as a blanket term to cover two fatty particles in the blood: healthy high-density lipoprotein — which is actually good for you — and low-density lipoprotein, also known as “bad cholesterol.” Within normal ranges, cholesterol is essential to creating hormones, vitamin D, and other substances our bodies need. Scientists are still learning about what job Lp performs in the body, but a growing body of research suggests that it plays an important role in heart health.
In fact, Lp is considered the strongest genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease, or the arterial blockages that cause cardiac events. High levels are also shown to triple the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke at a young age.
While Lp is not included in standard cholesterol blood tests, it’s estimated that one in five Americans has high levels. More research is needed to improve the scientific understanding of Lp — especially among heart patients.
Also Check: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
Is Lipoprotein A Hereditary
Genetic variation is believed to account for 75 to 95 percent of lipoprotein level variation in the population. Because nongenetic factors, such as diet and physical activity, do not substantially influence lipoprotein concentrations, a genetic test is well positioned to identify high concentrations.
Get the latest Celebrities updates and follow us everywhere ! Dont forget to share this post
- 0 shares
Why Bob Harper Is Eating A Mediterranean Diet Post Heart Attack
When the seriously fit celebrity trainer Bob Harper suffered a heart attack a few weeks ago, I was just as shocked as most of the world. He works out for a living-the man’s muscles have muscles-not to mention the fact that he’s only 51 years old. But, heart disease runs in his family and genetics are a huge risk factor when it comes to heart health. The good news, Harper is recovering nicely if his is any indication. The avid cross-fitter has taken a less stressful and doctor-recommended approach to exercise. He’s walking his dog in the park and performing a stress test with his medical team rather than hitting the gym hard . The other key part of his recovery? His diet. Harper’s doctors recommended he eat a Mediterranean-style diet. So what’s he eating to keep his heart healthy?
Photo credit:
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes healthy whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seafood and healthy fats, plus the occasional glass of heart-healthy red wine. The health benefits of following a Mediterranean-style diet include improved weight loss, better control of blood glucose levels and reduced risk of depression. Eating a Mediterranean diet has also been associated with reduced levels of inflammation, a risk factor for heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Not to mention, the Mediterranean diet is delicious and flavorful.
Related:7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan
You May Like: Can Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
Harper Loves The Changes To The Biggest Loser
Although he once served as trainer on the reality show, Harper is back now as the shows host, a role once held by Alison Sweeney and Caroline Rhea. He has great chemistry with contestants and is super familiar with how the show works. Still, Harper says hes thrilled with its newest changes.
A post shared by Bob Harper on Feb 11, 2020 at 9:56am PST
I get to bring in my expertise, and I get to hear about a new approach, he told People in 2019. I think theres a really good symmetry here. Were looking at changing the way that they eat, the way that they think and how they move their body. . . We really want to get that whole-body approach.
The hardest part is keeping it off, he continued. This is going to be something that they have to work on for the rest of their life, and I wanted to make sure that they have the aftercare and the support.
The Heart Attack That Changed Harpers Life
Its been three years this week that Harper lived through what was a nearly fatal heart attack. It took place while the fitness professional was working out in a CrossFit class. He had been feeling perfectly fine and was in seemingly great shape. He survived the attack, he was told later, only because two doctors happened to also be in the gym while he was there. Still, the Tennessee-born Harper was in a coma afterwards for two days.
I had what they call a widowmaker, he told Savannah Guthrie on Today in 2017. It was a 6 percent survival rate. I was in full cardiac arrest. My heart stopped. Not to be dramatic, but I was dead. I was on that ground dead.
A post shared by Bob Harper on Feb 12, 2020 at 6:12am PST
Its easy to look at Harper now and see that he basically looks as fit and healthy as always. But the medical emergency he went through was nearly catastrophic. Thankfully, he unknowingly had all the right people there in the gym with him at the right time.
The coach went into full damage control, he said. There was an event going on at the gym and found two doctors that were there. I was so lucky. Thank God. They started performing CPR on me, they pulled out the AEDs and used that on me twice before the paramedics got there super quick and they jolted me one more time.
Don’t Miss: How Accurate Is Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate