High levels of cholesterol are a growing problem these days and are attributed to the types of food we eat and the stressful lifestyles many of us have. Furthermore, If “bad” cholesterol isn’t dealt with quickly it can have dire consequences, as former president, Bill Clinton found out.
On September 7, 2004, three years after his presidency ended, Clinton went to hospital complaining of chest pains. He was rushed into surgery and underwent a successful quadruple coronary artery bypass.
Although Clinton had a healthy diet, his low-density lipoprotein levels (or “bad“ cholesterol) were well known. According to a report by CNN at the time. Clinton’s cholesterol levels in his final year of being president were at 177 but rose to over 200 within the following year. An acceptably healthy reading of cholesterol levels is below 130.
Clinton underwent the bypass when results from angiograms showed that he had a partial coronary blockage, which was reportedly a result of fatty “plaque”.
In an interview with Larry King on CNN, Clinton said: “Some of this is genetic, and I may have done some damage in those years when I was too careless about what I ate.”
He also said that without the surgery, “there is virtually 100 percent chance I’ll have a heart attack.”
Since then he has extolled the virtues of the raw food diet which has seen him shed weight and regain a vitality he’d forgotten since his youth.
Clinton, the 42ndPresident of the United States, led the country from 1993 to 2001. He was regarded by many as the Golden Boy but will more likely be remembered for his less decent actions, namely impeachment after the sex scandal involving 22-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky. Despite the public disgrace Clinton continues to be a public figure and a representative of his nation, recently involved in pushing Obama’s successful drive for a second term.
His post-presidential career saw him explore many different areas, including creating the William J. Clinton foundation, which supports a variety of humanitarian causes. He continues to be involved in his nation’s politics, including Obama’s presidential campaigns in 2008.
