heart disease isn't just a health concern it's a global epidemic every year cardiovascular diseases claim 17.9 Million Lives accounting for a staggering 32% of all deaths worldwide in the United States heart disease has held the Grim title of the nation's number one killer since 1950 and the statistics remain alarming according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention heart disease is responsible for approximately 695,000 deaths annually that's one in every four deaths but there is a good news you have the power to prevent heart disease the world's top heart surgeons agree one such surgeon is
Dr Michael debaki widely regarded as one of the greatest surgeons in history and a trusted medical adviser to every US president since Truman He has revolutionized cardiovascular medicine with groundbreaking Innovations in heart bypass surgery and artificial heart technology over his legendary career he performed more than 60,000 life-saving operations and mentored generations of Surgeons leaving an indelible mark on Modern medicine his pioneering techniques have saved millions of lives and his dedication to Health and Longevity was evident as he lived to an impressive 99 years old even well into his '90s he remained active sharing his expertise
and continuing to shape the future of Cardiac Care he still drove to work at 90 he was an operations room until he was 97 years old his book The Living Heart Diet originally published in 1984 and updated in 1996 remains a valuable resource on how proper nutrition and lifestyle choices can prevent heart disease and promote a longer healthier life at age 90 interview with CBS through it all he's barely noticed the last 90 years slip by he said physically fortunately and mentally I feel like I've always felt and I'm still doing most everything I want
to do that I used to be able to do so what's Dr dei's secret to a healthy long life we will explore top five tips from the legendary doctor including the foods that you should eat and avoid in order to prevent heart diseases number one tip get moving Dr debaki states that the best tip for the strong heart and arteries is walking a daily walk of at least 30 minutes which involves alternating slow and fast walking is the most effective way to strengthen the heart he himself Walks from place to place Putters around the garden
and chooses stairs over elevators when it comes to exercise he has adapted a more casual attitude he said in an interview I don't feel like I need to and I'm glad to see some of these studies that show that just fidgeting is good for you fidgeting and other non exercise movements contribute to non-exercise activity thermogenesis neat which encompasses the energy expended during daily activities outside of formal exercise these small movements can cumulatively burn a significant number of calories for instance fidgeting can increase energy expenditure by approximately 20 to 30% without notably raising heart rate additionally
individuals who engage in more fidgeting behaviors tend to have a lower chance of early death compared to those who remain still potentially counteracting some negative effects of prolonged sitting while fidgeting and walking contribute positively to overall health and can mitigate some risks associated with sedentary Behavior they do not entirely replace the comprehensive benefits of structured higher intensity exercise incorporating a variety of physical activities including both moderate movements like walking and more vigorous exercises is recommended for Optimal Health outcomes number two tip to longevity work with passion and stay busy Dr Michael debaki believed that passionate
work was the key to a long and fulfilling life rising at 4:00 a.m. he began his day with exercise before walking to the hospital a place he considered home he never retired Always setting new goals and even in his '90s he was still working 16-hour days and advancing medicine one of his last inventions a miniature heart pump a collaboration between NASA Dr Michael debaki Dr George noon and mic our own Technology Incorporated resulted in a life-saving heart pump for patients awaiting heart transplants for Dr debaki staying busy wasn't just a habit it was a necessity
he believed work provided purpose focus and even relaxation once saying no vacation spot could ever be as soothing as the operating room though he acknowledged that stress can be harmful he also saw it as a stimulus that brings out the best in people even late in life he traveled mentored and embraced new challenges calling them the zest of Life his philosophy was simple but powerful stay engaged stay curious and never stop working towards something meaningful work can block out the unpleasant things we have to deal with every day when you concentrate you are not distracted
by the things that are bothering you in a Time magazine article published 40 years ago where he was one of the rare medical doctors to appear on the cover Dr Michael debaki dismissed concerns about the alleged negative effects of stress stating men was made to work and work hard I don't think it ever hurt anyone he also emphasized the power of mindset adding some of it is attitude every day new challenges arise and to me that's the zest of life number three avoid stress which is the largest enemy of the heart besides physical activity Dr
Dei believed that the real enemy of heart health was stress according to him many people trying to relieve stress with alcohol not realizing that this approach could only make the situation worse chronic stress takes a serious toll on heart health by triggering a Cascade of physiological responses that can lead to cardiovascular disease when you're stressed your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline which increase heart rate blood pressure and inflammation over time this can contribute to hypertension arterial damage and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes stress also encourages unhealthy coping habits such
as overeating smoking and lack of exercise further worsening hard Health additionally prolonged stress disrupts sleep and raises levels of chronic inflammation which plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis narrowing of the arteries Dr Dei recommended alternative ways to relieve stress whether it was going to the theater staying in the countryside or swimming in a river even in later years Dr debaki was aware that laughter and positive emotions can be the most powerful medicine number four don't smoke as a young physician Dr Michael debaki was asked to gather data on patients stricken with lung
cancer a condition whose prevalence seemed to be rising when Dr Dei presented the data to his mentor Alton oxner the Elder doctor was surprised you mean to say every one of these patients is a smoker that Revelation led to the public a some months later of a research article scooping by a quarter Century the US Surgeon General suggesting for the first time a link between cigarettes and lung cancer the year was 1939 recent studies continue to affirm the strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer while also exploring Innovative approaches to combat this deadly disease smoking
Remains the leading cause of lung cancer responsible for approximately 85% of cases globally notably research has identified specific mutations in the tp53 gene commonly found in smokers which contribute to the development of lung cancer number five foods what Dr debaki avoided to keep his heart healthy in his book The Living heart shoppers guide tells you just how much fat cholesterol and sodium are in certain food items the idea is to put together an eating plan making sure you consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol a day and limit saturated fat to 10% of your total
caloric intake although Dr debaki did not strictly follow any certain diet he avoided butter and fatty Meats in his philosophy these Foods were not welcome and giving them up he claimed could extend Life by 5 to 7 years he also advised not to fry the food but yes to bake yes to steam or simply eat raw so what did Dr debaki ate every day in his younger years he had very simple breakfasts and lunches breakfast was simple but healthy often consisting of cottage cheese whole grain porridge and black tea a breakfast of cottage cheese whole
grain porridge and black tea is a nutrient-dense and balanced choice that supports overall health cottage cheese provides high quality protein calcium and probiotics which Aid in muscle maintenance bone health and digestion whole grain porridge is rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates ensuring steady energy release and blood sugar regulation while also supplying B vitamins and essential minerals for metabolism and brain function black tea is packed with antioxidants like polyphenol and flavonoids which help reduce inflammation support heart health and enhance cognitive function this combination keeps you full energized and promotes long-term well-being making it an excellent way
to start your day for lunch Dr debaki liked bean soup or baked fish with lots of raw vegetables bean soup is rich in plant-based protein fiber and complex carbohydrates which help stabilize blood sugar support good health and promote satiety baked fish especially fatty fish like salmon or mackerel provides lean protein and omega3 fatty acids which are essential for brain function heart health and reducing inflammation raw vegetables offer a Powerhouse of vitamins minerals antioxidants and fiber which enhance immune function digestion and overall Vitality in his later life Dr debaki just enjoyed one meal a day that
one meal often consists of a salad let's explore a heart surgeon approved salad dressing recipe from Baylor College of Medicine sugar heart and Life program an institution where Dr Michael Dei served as chair of the department of surgery president and Chancellor this light yet flavorful dressing combines fat-free yogurt non-fat mayonnaise fresh chives dill weed and lemon juice making it a delicious and heart-healthy addition to fresh vegetables low in fat yet rich in essential nutrients it aligns perfectly with Dr dei's lifelong commitment to cardiovascular Wellness by incorporating nutrient-dense salads lean proteins and healthy fats into your
diet you can support heart Health and Longevity just as Dr bakey advocated throughout his life so it's no surprise that even in his '90s his military uniform from the early 1900s still fit him perfectly a testament to his lifelong commitment to health one philosophy he always followed was moderation ensuring his food portions were just enough to satisfy without excess even with coffee he limited himself to just one cup a day maintaining balance in every aspect of his diet did Dr debaki take any vitamins throughout his long 99 years of life Dr debaki did not take
any vitamins or medication he did not drink and never smoked instead he maintained his health through a balanced diet and regular physical activity Dr Michael deak's life proves that passion purpose and mindful living are the true keys to longevity showing us that with dedication balance and a heart- healthy lifestyle we can Thrive at any age
