Cardiologist Speaks

Running Helped This Cardiologist Get off His Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medications

“I now talk to my patients about lifestyle—especially walking and running—as a way to control and even reverse their chronic illnesses and get off of some of their medications.”

By Harvey S. Hahn Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 2:46 pm

 

Name: Harvey S. Hahn
Age: 48
Occupation: Cardiologist
Hometown: Centerville, Ohio

How long have you been running?
I have been running for four years.

What prompted you to start?
I started running to rehab from a left knee arthroscopy. But I also wanted to lose weight, get healthy, and feel good again.

How often do you run?
I run on average three to four times a week.

What is your routine?
I complete my long run on Sunday, and then over the course of the week I do one interval day, one tempo run day, and one easy run day. I also lift weights two times a week, and do plyometrics once a week. I rest on Saturdays.

Do you race? If so, how often, and what kind of races?
I typically complete two to three marathons, three to four half marathons, as well as three to four 5Ks a year.

Do you engage in other sports or activities? If so, what and how often?
I enjoy swimming and biking with the kids, and I walk and hike as much as I can.

What’s the most rewarding part of running for you?
For me, the most rewarding part of running is how it makes you feel, and how it energizes you and drains away stress.

Please describe your weight loss journey, including your before and after weights.
I really didn’t think I was overweight or out of shape until I tore a meniscus in my left knee and had to use my arms to get out of my car. I had slowly gained 45 pounds since college—back then I was used to playing basketball six days a week. The weight gain was slow and due to the typical excuses—marriage, kids, work, and being tired. After I hurt my knee, I realized that it was because I was carrying the extra 45 pounds around every single step of the day. I also realized that if I didn’t do something, I would be watching my kids play instead of being out there playing with them.

So I went mostly vegan, and started running and using portion control. I got up to three miles at a time, and then went running with a friend and did a hilly five-miler in intense heat. I felt destroyed afterward, but for the rest of the day I felt great, really sharp mentally, and was in a great mood. That’s when I started to run more seriously.

The sad part of this is that I’m a board certified cardiologist who was being treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I wasn’t trying to work on my weight or lifestyle at all. After making these changes and dropping weight, I got off of my blood pressure pill (Norvasc) and my cholesterol pill (Lipitor) and my numbers are even better now then when I was taking the medications. I now talk to my patients about lifestyle—especially walking and running—as a way to control and even reverse their chronic illnesses and get off of some of their medications. 

What is the secret to your weight loss success?
The secret to my weight loss success is motivation. Trying to lose weight to just get a six pack isn’t a strong enough motivator to make real lasting changes. I wanted to set an example for my two boys so that they wouldn’t have to fight weight and chronic illnesses when they get older like I did. I also wanted to be a good example for the patients that I take care of.

The operational secret to my success is making my exercise and eating routine a habit so that I don’t have to use up any will power on it. 

How do you stay motivated?
I just have to look at my kids. They used to be chubby, but not anymore. I want them to have as full of a life as possible. I also plan races year round to keep me on my training program, and I run races with friends at all distances in order to keep it fun.

Do you have any favorite motivational quotes?
“Genetics loads the gun, but behaviors pull the trigger.”

“Do, or do not! There is no try.” —Yoda

“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” —Denis Waitley

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” —Ghandi

“We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” —Aristotle

“You must own everything in your world. There is no one else to blame.” —Jocko Willink, Navy Seal

“There is no way to happiness; happiness IS the way.” Thich Nhat Hanh

What are your current short and long term goals?
I’ve completed nine marathons, but I haven’t gotten lose to qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I want to BQ and run it at least once. I also want to do a 50K or 50-miler before I turn 50.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Dropping 45 pounds is nothing compared to some of the other stories I’ve read, but if someone who is supposed to know about health can let themselves get so unhealthy—that’s a problem. If doctors would treat, teach, and lead by example we could make a huge dent into obesity, diabetes, and chronic illnesses and at the same time help people live a better and fuller life.