The Ticking Time Bomb

Lub Dub, Lub Dub, Lub Dub, Lub Dub is the normal sound the heart makes when auscultated (listened to with a stethoscope.) The number one cause of cardiovascular disease is known as C.A.D. (coronary artery disease.) This causes more than 600,000 deaths annually in the United States. Approximately 1 out of 4 people will develop this condition. The most common early symptom experienced from this condition is NOTHING. Slowly, arteries begin thickening as plaque builds up decreasing the circumference of the artery the blood passes through. As the artery narrows, pressure in the blood vessel increases (similar to placing your thumb over a garden hose.) This resistance in the blood vessel makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Since the heart is made of muscle, this increased energy requirement causes it to enlarge over time. As it enlarges, it thickens making it less effective at doing its job. Over time, the heart’s ability to perform its task diminishes, preventing people from pursuing their dreams and desires in life.

When we overwork a muscle, we must give it a chance to heal before it is capable of full function without restrictions. Unfortunately, the heart doesn’t have the luxury of taking time off to recover. As the plaque continues to accumulate inside the arteries, oxygen exchange that occurs in the lungs becomes hampered. Oxygen is a chemical compound needed that fuels the cells of our body necessary for everyday living. As we begin to deprive the body of this chemical compound, all systems become affected and function below par levels.

At this point in the disease process, SYMPTOMS COMMONLY DO NOT EXIST. The liver begins losing its ability to filter toxic substances which begin to accumulate in the body. Increased blood pressure in the kidneys begin damaging structures that allow protein to spill out in the urine. This shows evidence of kidney disease. The immune system becomes compromised because too many organs are permitting too many toxins to be released into the body too quickly. Various infections begin to slowly accumulate in the body weakening the immune system. At this point in the disease process, SYMPTOMS COMMONLY DO NOT EXIST.

At this point in this article, you have read 353 words that demonstrate the reality of cardiovascular disease, yet SYMPTOMS HAVE NOT BEEN PRODUCED. I have provided only a few examples of the hundreds of damaging effects that cardiovascular disease causes WITHOUT necessarily causing any symptoms to the recipient.

What do most people use to determine their status of health?

SYMPTOMS. 

This is why this prevalent disease kills so many lives annually. The good news is, you can dramatically reduce your chances for developing this disease and prevent contributing your name to the statistics. Interestingly, where the degenerative disease process that kills over 600,000 people may demonstrate NO SYMPTOMS, the preventative approach to healthy living creates plenty of SYMPTOMS. They are as follows:

1. Anger – Dietary habits need to encourage healthy patterns of eating by consuming the right foods to nourish the body and maximize its ability to function. Most people do not want to change their lifestyle. This makes them angry. I encourage the realization that healthy quality living provides many more opportunities for happiness and fulfillment than diets that promote disease and death.

2. Frustration – People must learn what changes they need to make to promote healthy living. Our society likes status quo. We have spent years in primary and secondary school, possibly college, possibly graduate school and now are being asked to once again learn information that will reduce our chances of killing ourselves in a painful meaningless way. This begins to feel more like a new source of stress than a solution to disease. Once we realize the benefits far outweigh the cons, the ability to change becomes more palatable.

3. Resentment – Living in the United States grants us many rights including the freedom of decision making. We believe that no one has the right to tell anyone else how they should live. By law, they’re correct. Where is that fine line between personal choice and personal responsibility. Many of us have spouses, children and extended families that rely on us physically, financially and emotionally? Are we truly resenting being told what to do or resenting the fact that our lifestyle has placed us in a situation aiming us toward an early grave?

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your view on HEALTH. Maybe symptoms are not the best criteria to determine whether changes in lifestyle are needed. Maybe the EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS experienced when changing to a healthy lifestyle are worth seeing your children grow up or celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. Maybe we have to prioritize our lives differently to help motivate a new self reliant behavior; one that seeks purpose and meaning rather than fries and a coke. Maybe it’s time to stand in front of that mirror with unyielding conviction and commitment to reverse the course of disease that has likely begun WITHOUT NECESSARILY EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS!

Has this article created a new perspective on HEALTH and a new understanding that SYMPTOMS are a poor measure of HEALTH?

Tags: aging, diet, disease, emotions, heart disease