99-Year-Old Cardiac Surgeon Michael DeBakey's 8 Habits That Helped Him Stay Healthy

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How the legendary cardiac surgeon dealt with stress, what he ate to live to 99, and why he believed in the afterlife. Today's article features Michael DeBakey's revelations about how everyone can add life to themselves and stay healthy.

In the history of medicine, few names shine as brightly as Michael DeBakey. Michael Ellis DeBakey is the most famous cardiac surgeon in the world. Born in 1908 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Lebanese immigrants, DeBakey had a legendary career that revolutionized cardiac surgery. His journey from a young medical student at Tulane University to a pioneering cardiac surgeon is a story of innovation and tireless dedication.

Despite two world wars, the story of Michael DeBakey is not just a chronicle of surgical skill, but also an example of longevity and good health. He continued to operate and actively work in medicine until he was 97. And he died, not living to see his 100th birthday by just 2 months.

"What is old age? It is a disease. As long as I am healthy, I am young, no matter how old I am," said Michael DeBakey.

Here are 8 habits that helped him live a remarkable century.

1. Active lifestyle: movement as a ritual for life

Michael DeBakey's life was a testament to the power of physical activity. He wasn't just an advocate of exercise, he believed in age-appropriate exercise. In older age, daily walks, walking up and down stairs, gardening, etc. Even in his nineties, DeBakey maintained a regimen that organically incorporated movement into his life.

"Keep moving, no matter your age," he once advised, and he practiced what he preached.

His regimen did not consist of grueling workouts, but of constant moderate activity.

DeBakey's life is a vivid illustration of how an active lifestyle, regardless of age, can maintain physical and mental vitality. It is not the intensity that matters, but the consistency and regularity of the activity.

"I do everything to make sure my heart works without problems."

Michael DeBakey considered walking to be the most effective method that strengthens the heart and extends the age of active longevity. For this method to be truly effective, the doctor recommended walking for at least 30 minutes every day, and alternating between a calm and fast pace while walking.

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2. Daily routine and proper rest

Michael DeBakey began each morning with the same precision and purpose. He rose at 4 a.m. and maintained a strict routine. His sons say that if they wanted to ask their father for a little pocket money, they had to wake up at 4:15 a.m., just as he was finishing shaving.

His day began with a series of calisthenics exercises - pull-ups, squats and bends, each of which was performed with careful repetition, at least 15 times.

By 5:00 a.m., he would walk to work. Upon arriving at his office, Dr. DeBakey would immediately retire to his study, unpack his breakfast, and begin eating at 6:00 a.m. sharp. From 7:00 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., he would immerse himself in scientific literature and writing.

“Find your calling and then every day, even the day spent at work, will be the best day of your life,” said Michael DeBakey.

3. Healthy Eating: The Art of Balanced Nutrition

DeBakey's eating habits were as strict as his surgical techniques. He kept regular meal intervals and avoided overeating, especially before bed. He ate a diet low in saturated fat and salt, favoring vegetables, whole grains, and fiber. He carefully timed his meals to avoid overeating, especially before bed.

"What we eat feeds our lives," DeBakey believed, and his approach was a model of moderation and balance.

Influenced by his first wife's passion for healthy eating, he gave up fatty foods and large amounts of table salt.

"Stop frying food in oil, start eating vegetables and give up booze. Giving up oil will add five to seven extra years to your heart," said the legendary heart surgeon.

He loved bean soups, baked fish and raw vegetables. Breakfast usually consisted of cottage cheese or whole grain porridge with weak black tea, while dinner was often divided into two parts, one of which was packed to take to work the next day.

He also recommended a strict diet to his patients, limiting their consumption of bread, salt, sugar and smoking.

4. Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol

"It's not unrequited love that breaks the heart, it's booze and cigarettes," said Michael DeBakey.

His stance on smoking was particularly hard-line; he equated tobacco with a direct effect on the heart and dismissed arguments about the longevity of famous smokers such as Winston Churchill, stressing that their eliminations were insignificant compared to the countless lives lost to smoking-related diseases.

He was also against alcohol and rejected the idea that red wine had any medicinal properties.

"If it helps someone, good for them! In small quantities it won't hurt, but in large quantities it will kill. In the end, each of us is the master of our own lives," said Michael DeBakey.

5. Continuous learning: the never-ending search for knowledge

Curiosity was as important to DeBakey's life as his surgical developments. His intellectual appetite extended beyond medicine to literature, history, and philosophy.

"The mind, like the body, needs exercise," DeBakey said.

He regularly attended conferences, engaged in new research and read widely.

A lifelong habit of learning has kept his mind sharp and broad-minded. Research shows that mental stimulation through a variety of intellectual pursuits can slow cognitive decline and improve problem-solving abilities. DeBakey’s passion for learning has kept him at the forefront of medical science and an example of how curiosity can contribute to a full, long life.

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6. Regular medical check-ups: a proactive approach to health

DeBakey didn't just innovate in the operating room; he applied the same foresight to his personal health. He advocated regular checkups, understanding their role in early detection and prevention of disease.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," he said, reiterating the principle that proactive health management is essential.

By monitoring their health and using modern diagnostic tools, people can identify problems early and deal with them effectively.

7. Positive attitude towards life: the power of optimism

Perhaps DeBakey's most enduring habit was his optimistic outlook. He recognized that emotional stability and a positive outlook were critical to maintaining mental and physical health.

"The human spirit is the most powerful force in overcoming adversity," DeBakey often noted.

DeBakey's optimism was not just a personal trait, but a guiding philosophy that helped him navigate life's challenges with grace.

8. Relieve stress properly

He found solace in books and comedies. He preferred to start his day with literature and watch movies in the evening, even giving his friends tapes of his favorite movies.

"I get stressed, too, and I take handfuls of antidepressants. They're called comedies," DeBakey said.

He was firmly convinced that indifference and stress destroy the heart.

"You need to get rid of stress wisely. Many people do it with the help of strong drinks, without thinking that they, especially in large doses, are the best friends of a heart attack. Do not forget that there are many other ways to get rid of stress - go to the theater, for example, go to the country, swim in the river," said Michael DeBakey.

After the death of his first wife when he was 64, DeBakey remarried three years later to German actress Kathrin Felhaber. Their union was blessed with the birth of a daughter, Olga, when he was 67.

Michael DeBakey admitted that he was not afraid to leave this life, he was even curious, because he believed in the existence of the soul and the afterlife, as his patients, whom he brought back to life, told him about it.

In every aspect of his life, from the operating room to his daily routine, DeBakey imparts enduring lessons on health and vitality. His legacy lies not only in the innovations he left behind, but in the vibrant, fulfilling life he led, reminding us that the secrets to longevity and well-being are within our reach, and depend on the choices we make every day.

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