What Dr. Mariano said:
Connie Mariano, a doctor in the White House medical unit from 1992 to 2001, said in an interview on CNN that Christie, a blunt-spoken Republican who is seen as a strong contender if he decides to run for president in 2016, risks a heart attack or a stroke if he does not slim down.
“It’s almost like a time bomb waiting to happen unless he addresses those issues before running for office,” Mariano said.
[…]“I’m a Republican. I like Chris Christie. I want him to run. I just want him to lose weight.”
via New Jersey’s Christie fires back at doctor over weight comments | Reuters.
What Chris Christie’s Dr. told him:
“My doctor continues to warn me my luck is going to run out relatively soon. So, believe me, it’s something that I am very conscious of,”
via Chris Christie Speaks Seriously on His Weight — Daily Intelligencer
What any doctor would tell Chris Christie:
If you have too much fat – especially in your waist area – you’re at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Is obesity a major risk factor for coronary heart disease?
Yes. Obesity places a person at higher risk for coronary heart disease because having excess body fat–
- raises total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
- raises blood pressure levels; and
- can result in diabetes. In some people, diabetes makes these other risk factors much worse. The danger of heart attack is especially high for people with diabetes.
What Chris Christie said about his problems with obesity:
“…up to 50 years old, I’ve been remarkably healthy”.
I can tell you now, living in Philly, I know his politics and I wouldn’t support him for any office in any normal circumstances, but I do hope he gets better.