Bill Weir's Major Health Scare
Doctor Said Weir Could Have 'Dropped Dead' in 5 Years
News anchor Bill Weir discovered his major risk for a heart attack while interviewing the doctor of deceased Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
The doctor, Dr. David Agus, who also worked with renowned professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, performed a full body CT scan on the anchor and made a discovery that could have saved his life.
A blockage was discovered in the main artery of the “Nightline” co-anchor’s heart. The doctor told Weir that had it not been cleared, Weir may not have lived for any more than 5 years.
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“I was blown away,” said Weir after being told he was at major risk of having a deadly heart attack. He said like most people, he thought going to the gym was enough to maintain good health.
“I always went to the gym in morning, worked out hard for an hour and figured that covered me for the rest of the day. Turns out, that rigorous exercise early and then 10 hours of sitting is as dangerous as or more dangerous than smoking.”
Agus told Weir that he had heart disease and probably would have gotten a heart attack five years later while jogging and “dropped dead.”
“The first thing that flashed in front of my eyes was my 8-year-old daughter,” Weir said.
Weir said his grandfather died of a heart attack several years ago. He had not realized how his grandfather’s heart failure could affect him.
“I didn't realize that I had a predisposition genetically for this sort of thing, and because I ate everything I ever wanted, I was slowly killing myself. So it was a stunning, life-changing moment,” said Weir.
Weir, who has also had genetic testing done, encouraged viewers to take advantage of medical advancements to know the state of their own health.
