Healthy Living: Chipping Away at Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and prevention.
In this Healthy Living I introduce you to a retired coach who is doing his best to “chip” away at heart disease.
Coach Chip Malone is making the most of his second chance at life.

“The experience has been phenomenal . To be honest with you, I am walking every day. I am blessed. God has given me a second chance at life. “

Just 14 months ago, Coach Malone received that very generous gift through a heart transplant after a battle with heart disease. Now he is sharing his story of his journey in hopes that he can chip away at heart disease.

“ I am reaching out to the community to share heart healthy tips and awareness about heart disease and how serious it is and for people to get out and exercise, eat heart healthy and to pay attention to the risk factors and warning signals. “

Malone is spreading his story and the keys to preventing cardiovascular disease through his "A Second Chance" book and speaking engagements throughout American Heart month.

“You need to check. High blood pressure is a silent killer. We need to check those things on a daily basis. I check my blood pressure twice a day.”

Malone's message stresses a lifestyle through diet and exercise. He maintains he could not have done it without the help of his wife, family, friends and his faith .

“I thanked the donor family for giving me life. Sometimes when I walk, I think about it, and I am just blessed. God has really given me a second chance. And I am using that second chance to try to help other people save their lives.”

Coach Malone's book “A Second Chance” is available through Amazon.com or at your favorite local bookstore.

He will also be speaking and signing books February 19 at Union Grove Baptist Church and February 23 at the Business Conference and Technology Expo in Macon.
For more information, call (478) 396-8224.