Are we as healthy as we think we are? Probably not. This is attributed to the
fact that we do not exercise much, the stressful lifestyles that we lead, poor
dietary habits and other detrimental factors that we let into our lives
knowingly or not. From the water that we drink to the air that we breathe day in
and day out, we can decrease the harm unto our bodies with as much help as
possible from nature around us.
According to official statistical reports, some of the most common illnesses and
diseases in most developed and developing nations are:
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
- Arteriosclerosis
- Hypertension (High-Blood Pressure)
- Diabetes
All these diseases have a claim in the abovementioned factors when we do not
take the best possible care of our own bodies. Both stroke and heart attack are
considered a deviation of Cardiovascular Disease. According to the American
Heart Association, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the No.1 killer in America.
In fact, it is the cause of some 38% of the 2.4 million deaths a year. Plus,
approximately 70.1 million Americans have some form of CVD.
Statistics by the American Stroke Association shows that over 700,000 Americans
will have an attack of stroke in a year, and this figure increases annually.
That would mean an average of one stroke sufferer per 45 seconds! And every
three minutes, there would be a stroke-related death. Thus, it is estimated by
the year 2020, heart disease and stroke would be the leading cause of death
worldwide, with some 80% of these deaths occurring in the newly-developed
nations in Asia. These are certainly very disturbing figures in such disturbing
times.
Of course, there are tests and scans to determine our heart-attack and stroke
risks. But these are often expensive, unaffordable to most people and not to
forget, its accuracy is not consistent.
In September 2004, the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton had
to undergo an emergency heart surgery. As the former head of his nation, and
arguably, the most powerful leader of the modern world, he had access to the
best medical care in the United States, if not the world, with top-of-the-range
laboratory equipment and frequent drugs testing. It just goes to show that even
the most diligent of tests are not necessarily accurate. Obviously, those tests
failed to catch any signs of his heart problems. Thus, the lack of symptoms does
not spell a clean bill of health.
Not only that, it is a far more complicated task in determining heart-attack or
stroke risks than to look out for symptoms of such diseases. Each and every
person has different levels of susceptibility to cardiovascular or
cerebrovascular diseases. Some can live precariously on a junk food diet and
binge on alcoholic drinks, but live to be 100. Whilst others with strict
conscientious diets and a diligent exercise regime have the unfortunate prospect
of being struck down with stroke or heart attacks at 35. Of course, diet,
fitness level and our inherited genes do play important roles in ascertaining
such risks, but the key to good health is prevention.
What Are The Main Causes of Stroke and Heart Attack?
Stroke (also referred to as Apoplexy or Cerebrovascular Accident) occurs when a
blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is clogged by plague
(build-up from the deposits of fats, cholesterol, calcium and other cellular
wastes). When this takes place, that part of the brain does not get the flow of
blood it needs, depriving it of oxygen. Brain cells in that part of the brain
die, causing permanent and irreversible damage to that particular area, or in
some severe cases, even death. This ultimately results in the loss of motor
functions corresponding to that area of the brain controls, more commonly known
as paralysis. The devastating effects of stroke are often permanent because dead
brain cells are not replaceable. One fourth of sufferers die as a result of
stroke or its complications. More than one half have long-term disabilities and
only about one fourth recover most or all bodily functions.
Similarly, heart attacks occur when the heart is deprived of nutrients and
oxygen-rich blood, caused by blocked arteries. A mere few seconds of
oxygen-starvation can lead to severe disability or death. As such, we can say
that the causes of stroke and heart attack are often inter-related.
Stroke, being the third leading cause of death after heart diseases and cancer
in most developed countries, is also the leading cause of disability in adults.
People who have the highest risk of stroke are those who are diagnosed with the
following conditions:
- Hypertension (high-blood pressure)
- Arteriosclerosis, a condition in which plague accumulate in the inner
lining of the arteries, causing the hardening of the arteries
- Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease)
- Diabetes
- High Blood-Viscosity
Heavy smokers are also considered at high risk.
Click HERE for Chinese translation by
Egbert
|
Maneuver
