Healthy living

"The first sign of a heart attack is a heart attack."

Now that I have reached the seven-decade mark, my cholesterol, kept in check by my eating habits, is still too high. My non-fasting cholesterol of 133 is unacceptable and my doctor has an app that predicts I will have a heart attack within 10 years. Reason enough to start an exercise regimen and a statin drug to reduce the risk.

Heart failure affects nearly six million U.S. adults with nearly one-half million diagnoses yearly. Heart disease or cancer ? a deadly duo, bent on extinction of the human race or just speed bumps on the road to a long life?

Unless there are genetic markers, there are ways to avoid either disease as long as possible. Everyone dies eventually but even with a diagnosis, there are ways for a patient to invest in longevity.

"Take medications, exercise and eat a healthy diet," says Lois Freeman to her patients in the VA health system. While no silver bullet for cancer or heart disease exists, people are living longer and many can expect 30 to 40 years after that dreadful diagnosis.

If high blood pressure and high cholesterol are ignored, life expectancy is reduced considerably. Just as important are cancer's seven warnings signs, which are often ignored. Indigestion? Could be heart disease, cancer, or merely acid reflux. Tobacco use is a contributor to all, so cessation is critical.

Unfortunately, even the healthiest eventually age out, surprised when they die of nothing!