Bradley Walsh, 60, has said he was warned by doctors he would die if he didn’t make major changes to his lifestyle. The Chase star revealed he’s at high risk of heart disease after his dad Daniel died of the condition aged 59.
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The presenter told The Sun on Sunday: “I was a time bomb. I produce too much cholesterol. It’s a silent killer. My heart guy said, ‘Look, Brad, you need to get fit’.’’
Bradley has been advised to give up alcohol and carbohydrates to lower his heart disease risk.
The star continued: “I had a hang-up because my father, Daniel, died at the age of 59.
“I had it in the back of my mind that I just had to get past my dad’s age. So turning 60 was a bit of milestone.
“I was 33 when he passed away. I’d just done the Royal Variety Show performance which helped launch my career, but my dad died from heart failure two weeks after that and never got to see it.
“Once you know it’s hereditary, you start having regular tests. Of course it’s a concern.”
Every coupe of years, Bradley undergoes a full medical examination, which is when his current condition was discovered.
Having too much cholesterol in the blood can cause a process called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up in the artery walls. This is a potentially fatl form of heart disease.
Heart disease is a major cause of death in the UK and worldwide.
High cholesterol has no symptoms. The only way to detect you have it is to have a blood test.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
The main symptoms of heart disease are listed by the NHS as:
- Chest pain
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
The health body adds: “You can also have other symptoms, such as heart palpitations and unusual breathlessness.
“But not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may not have any before CHD is diagnosed.”
As in Bradley’s case, if a doctor feels you’re at risk of heart disease, they may carry out a risk assessment.
The NHS continues: “They’ll ask you about your medical and family history and your lifestyle, and they’ll take a blood test.”
Further tests may be needed to confirm heart disease, including:
- A treadmill test
- A radionuclide scan
- A CT scan
- An MRI scan
- Coronary angiography
How to lower cholesterol
Cholesterol can be lowered by eating less fatty food, exercising more regularly, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking.
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