Yevgeniy Chazov, a Soviet doctor, renowned cardiologist, and central figure in 20th-century medicine, lived 92 years without getting sick, without giving in to fatigue, or complaining about life. His secret lay not in miracle diets or modern routines, but in something much deeper and simpler: how to live at peace with oneself and one’s surroundings.
Chazov not only listened to thousands of hearts during his career; he also understood his own. And what he shared until his final days was a vision of well-being based on calm, forgiveness, honesty, and, above all, purpose.
What is one thing you should remove from your home?
For many, the answer is surprising: the television. According to Chazov, it’s not fat, sugar, or even a sedentary lifestyle that damages the heart the most. It’s stress. And one of the biggest sources of daily stress is constant bad news, media-induced anxiety, and the silent tension generated by spending hours in front of a screen that transmits negativity.
“The television transmits anxiety. Drop by drop, it poisons the mood. And sadness kills faster than an illness,” he said.
Chazov claimed that many of his patients suffered more from stress and lack of meaning than from their actual medical problems. Excessive television viewing, especially toxic content, can plunge us into a kind of silent depression that weakens cardiovascular health.
Life Lessons to Take Care of Your Heart
Forgive. Chazov was betrayed by colleagues and students. He never took revenge. He forgave and moved on. That ability to let go of the negative was key to his well-being.
I lived with purpose. It’s not about having great achievements, but about having a reason to get up every morning. According to Chazov, a goal, no matter how small, sustains the body and soul.
Don’t overload yourself emotionally. Silent stress, the kind that goes unexpressed and unrecognized, is the most lethal. Recognizing and releasing it is vital.
Eat in moderation, but without guilt. Chazov didn’t follow strict diets. He drank tea with sugar, ate bread and sausages, and avoided only butter, fat, and smoked foods. The most important thing, he said, is not to overindulge. Supermarkets
Stay away from negativity. Not just from the television. Also from people, routines, and environments that drain your energy. Tranquility is a medicine that isn’t sold, but it is chosen.
Take care of your nervous system. According to him, almost half of all people live with intermittent depression. The key to avoiding heart disease is cultivating optimism and strengthening your mind.
Tips and recommendations for a longer, healthier life
Minimize your television viewing, especially sensational programs or those laden with bad news.
Spend time doing activities that bring you joy, such as walking, talking, reading, or simply resting in silence.
Create a serene environment in your home, with fewer screens and more space for dialogue or rest.
Learn to say no to what hurts you, without feeling guilty.
Forgive, even if they don’t deserve it. Forgiveness doesn’t free others, it frees you.
Don’t seek perfection, seek meaning. A life with purpose, no matter how small it may seem, is worth more than a life of appearances.
Remember that the heart not only pumps blood, it also stores memories. Listen to him.
Dr. Chazov’s words are not scientific formulas, but they resonate as profound human truths. Sometimes, living better begins with a gesture as simple as turning off the television… and turning on your life.