If you are overweight, have a poor diet, and don't exercise, you may be high risk for heart disease. In today's busy, fast paced world it's sometimes hard to be healthy. But one Killeen Pastor has a solution. Find out how his near death experience gave him a change of heart on living a healthy lifestyle.
Kenny Rawls is more than happy to see his Cardiologist. But even happier to be alive.
"I actually thought I was having a heart attack and the doctors caught this just in time," said Kenny.
That's because four arteries that led to his heart were blocked and he needed Quadruple Bypass Surgery.
When asked if he was worried about Kenny's health, his Scott & White Cardiologist, Dr. John P Erwin III said, "Yes, very worried. Of all the traditional risk factors he had most of them except he wasn't a smoker."
Months later, doctors continue to keep and eye Kenny's his heart and he has a scar to remind him of the things he would miss if he continued to neglect his health.
"Being there to walk my daughters down the aisle, being there for my son and also for my church," he said.
So he decided he needed to change his lifestyle and what better way than to add more exercise. But he took it one step, further.
"They didn't know what to think at first but then some of them thought, wow this is a good opportunity," said Kenny.
As a Pastor, he was able to share this new lifestyle with his employees. So now, he gives them each an hour day to exercise.
"I think every employer should encourage his employee to get healthy," said Kenny.
"Essentially most of us will die from heart disease so that's how important it is," said Dr. Erwin.
One out of every four deaths in the U.S. Are caused by heart disease, but it is preventable. On top of a healthy diet, you'll need to exercise.
"We will not only walk but we will have weights available, a treadmill, an exercise bike," said Kenny."
All to keep their hearts on the right track.
Pastor Kenny hopes other employees and churches will be inspired to do the same for their employees. One day, he hopes to open his exercise facilities to his congregation to keep them healthy too.
