Coronary heart disease - 'I try to go to the gym once or twice a week for a workout'
- Introduction
- Symptoms of coronary heart disease
- Causes of heart disease
- Diagnosis and risk assessment
- Treating heart disease
- Recovering from heart disease
- Preventing heart disease
- 'My heart was racing... the pain was awful'
- 'I try to go to the gym once or twice a week for a workout'
- 'I felt like I'd been kicked in the chest'
- See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine
- spicyjerkmackerel
- redricesurprise
- questions
Actor Rudolph Walker, 65, is a far cry from Patrick Trueman, the rum-swilling, fry-up-eating character he plays in EastEnders. In real life, he takes great care to ensure his heart stays in tip-top condition.
Rudolph's star tips for a healthy heart:
1. Eat well
"I eat lots of fish and fresh vegetables, and only occasionally have red meat. I resist the temptation of the stodgy food on the EastEnders set by bringing in my own meals, such as vegetable soup."
2. Get active
"I love playing tennis and cricket. But I don't always get the chance, so I try to go to the gym once or twice a week for a cardiovascular workout on the running machine."
3. Stop smoking
"I'm lucky – I've never smoked, even as a young man. I know it is hard for people to give up, but it is so important."
4. Go easy on the alcohol
"I hardly drink – just the odd glass of wine. Drinking is fine, but only in moderation."
5. Get checked out
"Every man over the age of 50 should have regular check-ups. I have one every six months to make sure everything is in working order, particularly my blood pressure and cholesterol levels."
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