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In reply to the discussion: This is the real reason most Americans file for bankruptcy [View all]at140
(6,110 posts)My dad had angina problems since age 60, and died of heart attack at 71.
All 4 of my maternal uncles died of heart attacks before reaching age 65, one of them at 54!
When I was working full time, I had chest pains after eating a good meal in restaurant at age 55. I had elevated blood pressure, racing heart rate and faint feelings every morning at work.So what did I do? Stopped chasing the almighty buck, quit my secure and well paying job at age 57. Moved to a small town where housing was cheap and began walking 30 miles every week on the golf course. That saved my life! Now at age 79 I have such good heart performance, my doctor is confused how I can be so good at age 79. I visited a new ENT doc last month to check a growth inside my mouth for possible surgery. He was shocked that I was age 79! He asked me what is my secret? He said I looked more like in my early 60's! I told him it is no smoking, no alcohol and spending 45 minutes at the Gym every other day. He said that is what HE should be doing!
I discovered the tremendous benefits of exercise in time. I see very few seniors in the Gym. It is mostly young people in great shape. So yeah, America's greatest senior problem is lack of vigorous exercise.