Bob Harper Biggest Loser

[Mizzoufan]

Scary

Bob Harper, a longtime trainer and host of The Biggest Loser, suffered a serious heart attack two weeks ago, TMZ reports. He was working out at a gym in New York when he collapsed. Thankfully, a doctor was also working out nearby and administered CPR and used paddles to save his life.

Harper, 51, was unconscious for two days and woke up in a hospital, where he stayed for eight days total. He has not yet been given the OK to fly back to his home in Los Angeles, and for now can only walk around, not exercise as usual. The fitness expert, who has taught season after season of contestants about living a healthy lifestyle, told TMZ that genetics were to blame for his heart attack, as his mother died from one.


It's unclear whether this health issue will affect his role as host of The Biggest Loser; he has appeared on all 17 seasons but only took over as main host in 2016. So far, there hasn't been a response online from the show or his costars.

Harper, for his part, posted on Instagram last week about how "lucky" he was:

 

[Gracie09]

my bil had a heart attack while training for a race to the top of the empire state building. He just went down. Luckily he was right next to an EMT. The type of attack he had was called the widow maker because 99% of the time the person dies. He was very very lucky but was medically retired from his job as a cop because they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again.

 

[kimblebee]

I was shocked when I saw this on twitter. Today is the first day I've seen anything mentioned. I actually opened the article to see if it was THE Bob Harper.

Hopefully he has a full recovery.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

It honestly surprised me to hear about Bob. He is one one of those that you expect to be around forever. I do know however that a heart attack can happen to anyone whether or not they eat healthy and/or exercise.

Is Biggest Loser expected to air again? I searched awhile ago but couldn't find an answer.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yep, not all heart attacks are from poor choices. You can eat right and exercise, and still have a heart attack. It can come from genetics or just bad luck.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

DH had a heart attack after leaving the gym on his way to work. He was in training to do an iron man three months later. He went straight to the ER and 10 years later is still alive and kicking. His dad died of a heart attack at 44. Genetics are huge.

 

[Klayfish]

Right, all kinds of bad choices can dramatically increase your risk of a heart attack, but even making all the best choices can't guarantee to prevent them. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

The show hasn't been on in a long time. I presume it's gone?

 

[mom2rtk]

It seems you really can't outrun genetics. I know of at least 2 healthy long distance runners who died of heart attacks at a young age. Both had a family history of heart disease. One of them was only 36. She was a close friend and I had no idea about her family history. My theory is that she tried hard to do everything healthy to compensate for the poor genetics. And she just couldn't.

 

[wenrob]

It seems you really can't outrun genetics. I know of at least 2 healthy long distance runners who died of heart attacks at a young age. Both had a family history of heart disease. One of them was only 36. She was a close friend and I had no idea about her family history. My theory is that she tried hard to do everything healthy to compensate for the poor genetics. And she just couldn't.

This is true. My poor Dad has inherited both my grandfather's heart issue (grandpa died at 52) AND my grandmother's issues. He has had one health crisis after another since his late 30s. His older brothers on the other hand have been fortunate enough that the issues have passed them over. They would attribute it to TM and being vegetarian but I think they just got lucky. My younger sister is on all sorts of meds, high BP etc, while so far I seem to be escaping that fate. Even when I was obese my doctor said in an astonished voice, "You're really healthy." Trust me, no "clean" living going on here.

I hope Bob gets back to 100% ASAP.

 

[Hillbeans]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought a story came out a few years back where TBL contestants came out saying there was a lot of pill-pushing (speed/amphetamine) and extreme exercise behind the scenes? It was my first thought about someone so fit and trim having a massive heart attack. I hope that's not the case and that he has a speedy recovery.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

My husband had a heart attack at 41. No family history. He exercised regularly, and was training for a century ride. And he wasn't overweight.

The doctor said it happens more than people think.