HunterSeven Foundation

Interesting study just came out and proved something very important in military health.

You can make weight, pass tape, and max every PFT.
But that doesn’t mean your heart is in the clear.
Being PHYSICALLY strong ≠ PHYSIOLOGICALLY strong.

Military life isn’t the easiest life, And the exposures that come along with service aren’t the greatest.

Military life isn't easy, and the exposures that come with service aren't either. The things we breathe: heavy metal particulates in shoot houses, burn pits, sandstorms, exhaust fumes, etc. and the things we ingest, like PFAS-contaminated water on base, can silently raise cholesterol and clog arteries in soldiers who look perfectly fit.

The biggest concern is what stays hidden: sudden cardiac death (SCD).

SCD is the leading medical cause of duty-related death. In active-duty service members 35 and older, SCD rates more than triple and 73% of those deaths come from obstructive coronary artery disease.

In a study of 2,000 asymptomatic soldiers (average age 43), 1 in 5 men already had coronary calcium buildup. Those men carried nearly a 12-fold higher risk of heart disease... no symptoms required.

A few proactive ways to protect your heart health:

→ Get your blood pressure checked.
→ Manage stress effectively (poorly managed stress = increased fat storage)
→ Rule out sleep apnea & prioritize 8 hours of regenerative sleep.
→ Get a cholesterol panel (HDL, LDL, TG, Lp(a), CRP, and ApoB, too).
→ 40+ or a family history / risk factors? Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan.
→ Baseline ECG & Stress testing if needed

So whether you're active, reserve, or a veteran: don't wait for the annual PFT to "clear" you physically, and DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO SHOW UP.

CW4 Mike Harris was an extraordinary father, a devoted husband, a humble warrior, and a true American hero.

Mike gave more than half of his life in service to this nation… and somehow, he did it with a smile. Over more than 25 years in uniform, he served first as a combat engineer, then later as an elite attack and gunship pilot, deploying eight times to combat zones across the globe.

He spent nearly five years in combat, logged countless flight hours, and pushed himself physically, mentally, and spiritually beyond what was ever asked of him. Because that was Mike.

In December 2021, during a routine flight physical, abnormal blood counts raised concern. Mike had mentioned feeling tired — nothing more. Weeks later, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

True to who he was, Mike faced the diagnosis like the warrior he had always been. He never backed down. He never quit. He fought every single day.. and with a smile on his face.

His humility, courage, grit, and unforgettable smile continue to light the way for everyone who knew him.

We never had the privilege of meeting Mike. In fact, it was after his passing that we connected with his incredible wife, Mandi. Before leukemia was added to the PACT Act, our team fought to help prove that Mike’s cancer was connected to his military service.

And over the years, witnessing Mandi’s strength has been nothing short of remarkable. Her love, her dedication, and the legacy she continues to carry forward with their three beautiful girls are a testament to the kind of man Mike was, and the kind of love that does not end with death.

After Mike’s passing in 2022, our medical team connected his leukemia to chronic exposure to benzene, a toxic compound found in aviation exhaust, jet fuel, and military-grade smoke and soot. Research has shown that these exposures can significantly increase the risk of myeloid leukemia.

But in Mike’s legacy, there is also hope.

CW4 Michael Harris is survived by his incredible wife, Mandi, and their three beautiful little girls. 🧡

🇺🇸

250 Patriots.
250 Years of Freedom.

Something meaningful is coming this Friday.

A limited founding collection created to honor the spirit of 1776 while helping us fight for the lives of our fellow post-9/11 veterans today.

Only 250 will ever exist 🇺🇸