When Bobby Womack and Candi Staton sang "Stop Before We Start" in 1978, they were talking about avoiding a broken heart. But that's just one of the health risks you want to stop before they start, especially now that COVID-19 is here.

As data on the virus emerge, it's becoming clear that people with certain chronic conditions are at increased risk of serious complications and death.

Here are the stats:

• In 95% of all COVID-19-related ICU cases, the patient was 80 or older and/or had obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD, asthma, or immune suppression (from medication or a disease).
• People with cardiovascular disease who contract the virus have a 13.2% risk of dying from it. Those with diabetes have a 9.2% risk; high blood pressure, an 8.4% risk; chronic respiratory disease, an 8% risk.
• If you have no preexisting conditions, the risk of dying from COVID-19 is 0.9%.

So make sure you avoid all highly processed foods, as well as red and processed meats, and eat seven to nine servings of fruits and veggies a day, along with 100% whole grains.

In addition, get 30-60 minutes of aerobic activity daily and strength-building exercise two to three times weekly.

Then you can sing another Womack song: "Trust Your Heart."