Bradley Walsh health: Doctors warned star to ‘get fit’ after concern of ‘killer’ condition
The Chase: Bradley Walsh says ‘Plenty More Fish’
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Taking part in the show has put numerous challenges in front of Bradley. From activities such as climbing up a wall to being thrown off a bull. Yet when speaking to The Sun, The Chase presenter revealed that it was actually clog dancing in Holland that injured him the most. Bradley said: “After being thrown out of a plane, climbing up a wall and being thrown off a bull and everything like that, I trip up like an old twerp and whack my head on the menu.” Off-screen the star has also faced his fair share of health trouble, the most serious when his doctor warned him he was at risk of developing heart disease, due to his high cholesterol levels.
As he approached his 60th birthday, Bradley became concerned for his health, as his father Daniel sadly passed away at the age of 59.
Taking a look at his diet of fatty foods and alcohol consumption, it seemed that the health wake-up call couldn’t have come any sooner for the star, as his doctor gave him a firm but worrying warning.
Speaking to The Sun back in December 2021, Bradley said: “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 a time bomb. I produce too much cholesterol. It’s a silent killer. My heart guy said, ‘Look, Brad, you need to get fit’.
“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.”
The British Heart Foundation explains that heart disease – or cardiovascular heart disease (CVD) – includes conditions that block or narrow blood vessels, and have the potential to lead to heart attacks, angina or some strokes.
One factor that can put you at a higher risk of developing CVD is having high cholesterol, as Bradley explained.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in the blood. It is naturally produced and although everyone needs a certain amount to stay healthy, too much of “bad” cholesterol known as non-high-density lipoproteins or non-HDL, can cause a build-up in the walls of blood vessels.
In order to assess how much an individual’s arteries have been blocked, a specialist test known as a carotid artery test can be carried out. Something that Bradley referred to as “game-changing”.
The test is able to detect how much “furring” an individual has. This refers to the amount of fatty deposits that have built up in the walls of the arteries and how close they could be to a potentially life-threatening stroke.
Taking heed of the doctors warning Bradley made some drastic changes to his diet and lifestyle. The star started to eat more fruit, vegetables, salads and fish, and became conscious of hidden sugars.
“This was literally just prior to lockdown,” Bradley explained. “Then lockdown hit. I got on the scales and saw I’d hit 14st 9lbs, the heaviest I’ve ever been. I really was quite big.
“I thought, ‘Oh crikey, I’m gonna be bang in trouble here if I don’t lose the weight and start dealing with this’. I decided to get consciously stuck in. So, touch wood, I will be OK.”
The NHS adds that CVD is one of the “main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle”.
After a drastic and committed weight loss journey he managed to lose an impressive 10Ibs. The addition of a new puppy, which the presenter got during lockdown also helped to get the presenter “stuck in” to his health overhaul.
Having a balanced diet may sound tricky, but the NHS recommends that the best diet to follow to keep a healthy heart involves the following:
- Low levels of saturated fat (found in foods such as fatty cuts of meat, lard, cream, cakes and biscuits) – try to include healthier sources of fat, such as oily fish, nuts and seeds, and olive oil
- Low levels of salt – aim for less than six grams (one teaspoon) a day
- Low levels of sugar
- Plenty of fibre and wholegrain foods
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables – eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Adults are also advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week such as cycling or brisk walking. Any activity that generally raises your heart rate and makes you out of breath is sufficient.
Cutting down on alcohol, and aiming to not exceed a limit of 14 units per week is recommended for both men and women. A unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small glass of wine (125ml) is about 1.5 units.
Stopping smoking is also one way to significantly reduce your risk of CVD. Although individuals may find it difficult to quit completely, cutting down on the amount you smoke and adopting a healthier diet will help with overall health.
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