Joe Montana, the legendary quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, guided his team to four Super Bowl championships in the 1980s, earning his place as one of the greatest football players in the sport's history. Known as "Joe Cool" for his calm demeanor under pressure and "The Comeback Kid" for his ability to lead his team to victory even when trailing, Montana seemed nearly invincible during his professional career. However, after retiring from the NFL, Montana faced a new challenge: maintaining his health.
The Wake-Up Call: High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Just a few years after his retirement in 1995, the Hall of Famer was diagnosed with two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This diagnosis came as a shock to Montana, who, like many others, didn't think heart disease would affect him. "I didn't connect the dots at all," said Montana. "First of all, I wasn't educated on heart disease and what the precursors were. And I just never thought it would happen to me, with how long I'd been active."
The realization that he was at risk for heart disease, a leading killer in America, motivated Montana to change his course and become physically fit once again. The former field general is now battling a different kind of opponent: high blood pressure. Montana learned about his hypertension on a visit to the doctor. It was diagnosed "at a routine physical that my wife made me go to," he said in a telephone interview.
Understanding the Risks: Family History and Lifestyle
Family history is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease. Montana's mother had high blood pressure, and her father passed away at the age of 54. Jennifer Montana's father died at age 60 of a massive heart attack. Other major risk factors include diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity.
Cardiovascular disease kills more than 800,000 Americans each year, the American Heart Association says. "It takes decades for heart disease to develop," added cardiologist Dr. Steinbaum. "So the sooner you know your family history and the sooner you do something about it, the greater the chance you can control your own destiny."
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The Three-Pillar Approach: Diet, Exercise, and Medication
Since 2003, Montana has teamed up with Harvard-trained cardiologist James Rippe, MD, in a public education campaign to make people more aware of the dangers of hypertension and the steps they can take to combat the problem. Called Take the Pressure Off…With Better Blood Pressure Control, the program is sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, makers of the anti-hypertensive medication Lotrel.
Montana: I’ve started a little investment business out of my house.
The program emphasizes a three-pillar approach to managing high blood pressure:
- Proper diet
- Increased physical activity
- Finding the right medication
"We believe it’s a combination of all the things you do, not just the medication and then once you get it under control it’s a free for all; it’s maintaining to keep it under control and going forward with that in your life," Montana said.
Dietary Changes: Moderation and Smart Choices
Montana admits that changing his diet has been a challenge. "I hate the word diet-we all hate it when someone tells us we’re going to have to diet." He still enjoys red meat, salt, potato chips, and pizza, but he consumes them in moderation. "I could easily eat a whole New York steak, but now I find I take about four bites and take the other part home."
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During the day, Montana tries to eat a healthy diet, starting with a light breakfast like Ensure. For lunch, he sticks with something light as well. At night, he allows himself a normal dinner but avoids eating anything else afterward, except for a protein shake.
"Once you start cutting things out completely, you want to eat it more than ever. And I think it makes it harder for people to make the changes," he said.
Montana also credits his wife, Jennifer, for helping him stay on the right path. "My kids move the salt shaker away from me, so they’ve been a big help." Jennifer Montana sees a real "correlation" about the ongoing conversation around safety in pro-football and her family's dedication to the fight against heart disease. She said keeping up with her 4 kids used to be enough of a workout. "Now I work out to maintain… to keep my heart going," she says.
Exercise Routine: Adapting to Physical Limitations
The pounding that Montana took during his playing days leaves biking as one of the few aerobic activities he can still do without much pain. He frequently bikes with his wife and grown children. He also uses the Stairmaster, stationary bike, and treadmill.
"Well, if my knee didn’t bother me I wouldn’t have an exercise issue, because I love basketball." "Basically, I go between three exercise machines-the Stairmaster, the stationary bike and the treadmill. With my blood pressure, I’ve really ramped up my exercise routine. I used to exercise once or twice a week, but now I try to get in seven days a week."
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Montana has partnered with Joint Juice for the training camp, and after drinking the supplement every day, he said he’s noticed an improvement in his stiff joints.
Medication: Finding the Right Fit
Montana emphasizes the importance of working with a doctor to find the right medication. "I was surprised when the first medication I took didn’t work. I got a little nervous, but then I found out the majority of people with high blood pressure require more than one medicine." His doctor switched him to Lotrel, and his blood pressure came under control quickly.
"These days there are so many medicines out there that almost everyone can find one with minimal or no side effects. But I think the bigger issue is that people are afraid to say something is wrong with them."
Joe Montana's Joint Health Training Camp: Staying Active at Any Age
Joe Montana may not be a professional athlete anymore - but this thriving Baby Boomer still keeps active. Part of his healthy lifestyle includes keeping his joints in good shape, and so he’s created The Joe Montana Joint Health Training Camp, an online exercise program that encourages Americans to focus on their joints and maintain good health.
“We put together a little 30-day program that we think can fit into everyone’s daily life,” Montana told FoxNews.com. “(The) program (is) pretty versatile, so it can go from easy to pretty much as hard as you want it to get. And just by how much you want to do. “We wanted to come up with a program that anyone could participate in from home, and make it really easy and simple to get involved in this. So the goal of it is to get people moving through full ranges of motion and to preserve joint health.”
DiPretoro said the program is designed for all age groups, although it is vital for Baby Boomers to maintain their joint health, so they can continue to enjoy the activities they love and keep up with their kids (and grandkids).“It’s never too late to start exercising for sure,” DiPretoro said. “Seek out advice if you need it . . .and also educate yourself as to the proper range of motion. There’s some great information out there these days on health and fitness.”
Preventing Heart Disease: A Family Affair
For Montana, serving as a living example of a heart-healthy lifestyle for his children has been a driving force. In addition to Joe's family history of heart disease, Jennifer's father passed away at 60 years old after suffering a severe heart attack, meaning the four Montana children have inherited an extensive record of the disease.
The national initiative includes a series of bike and spin events called the Heart Health Tour.
"My wife and kids keep me on my toes, and we try to do a lot of heart-healthy activities together. Just like in football, you need a game plan." He has learned that he has to watch what he eats. "I don't call it a diet, because I hate that word. It's so extreme. I still can enjoy the foods I enjoy - like cheeseburgers and steak - I just have to do it in moderation. And I have to increase my exercise."
One thing he's learned, he said, is that if you want your kids to be more active, "you have to do it with them. And with eating, too. Parents have to set an example." He and Jennifer still have two sons at home, ages 13 and 15. "They are at an age that it is fun to do things together. They're into sports. One of our sons is really into basketball, and both Jennifer and I get out there and shoot hoops with him."
"If you can save one person's life and make a difference, then that's the best," said Joe Montana, before adding with his signature competitive spirit.