More Arguments in the Exercise Debate

Re “Giving Old Age a Run for Its Money” ( Dec. 22): I agree that regular exercise is helpful, but anyone who is obsessed with it thinks it is unfair when he or she has major problems not shared by the couch potato types.

My two older brothers, 70 and 69, have been in sharp contrast in their approach to exercise. The elder one was a brilliant runner until he was 17. He never again has paid much attention to exercise. He is overweight, and tests for blood pressure and cholesterol are not the most encouraging.

My second brother is slim from skiing, wind surfing and running rivers in his kayak. He has very carefully watched what he eats and drinks. His blood pressure and cholesterol are those of an athlete many years his junior. A doctor pronounced to my brother a short time ago, “You will never have a heart attack.”

Not long after that, he was in the middle of a river in his kayak in the Yosemite area when he was struck by a massive heart attack. He was flown out by helicopter. He survived.

He also has been battling two forms of cancer. However, he still skis, wind surfs and kayaks.

My oldest brother has not had any dramatic health problems in spite of defying the conventional wisdom.

FLOYD A. OLIVER

Los Angeles