So... You Think It Cannot Happen to You?

While some people are obsessive about their health, most of us take it for granted. This could be a costly mistake.

Of course, one doesn't want to be in a state of constant worry. But if we want to be healthy (and who doesn't?) we should consider our health on a regular basis... at least to the point of taking appropriate steps to do those things that will give us a better chance of remaining or getting healthy.

Could this be you?

Case in point: Larry was a fairly typical 48 year old.

Since his early thirties he had gradually gained about 35 unwanted pounds. He was "addicted" (his term) to TV sports, so watched far more TV than he knew he should. He loved his Friday night pizza and beer.

Larry's job was pretty stressful and kept him behind a desk most of the day. More often than not for lunch he had take-out food from one of three fast food outlets near his office... there was always someone willing to run out to grab some food. He ate quickly at his desk while working.

At his last physical check-up four years earlier, Larry's doctor told him he was pre-hypertensive and made some suggested changes related to his weight, diet, and exercise. Since then, because he wasn't following his doctor's advice, Larry avoided regular check-ups. And while his wife was a little more health-conscious, her attempts to get them out doing something physical on the weekends were usually stymied because there was always another "important game" to watch.

It's always someone else

In spite of a lifestyle that included a number of known risk factors, Larry had a fairly typical attitude about his health: a state of denial let him think that heart disease, stroke, and diabetes happen to others.

And it's this all-too-common attitude that puts people at greater risk. "It won't happen to me" thinking leads people to inaction when it comes to minimizing their heart disease risks.

If Larry had stopped to think about his lifestyle and made a list of his risk factors based on well publicized information and his doctor's recommendations, if he'd faced the reality of his situation, he might have made some changes. But his sense of denial was pretty strong.

Larry had a heart attack three weeks before his 49th birthday.

Luckily, his wife was there and called 911. He got the necessary help quickly and thus minimized the damage to his heart.

Typically, during his recovery Larry said, "I didn't think this would happen to me!"

Is Larry that different from millions of others?

He had five key risk factors:

1. He was significantly overweight (studies show that between 20% and 30% of Americans are obese)
2. He led a sedentary lifestyle lacking in exercise (North Americans are spending more time in front of their TVs and computers)
3. He consumed a poor diet that was high in processed foods, sodium, and trans fat (North Americans eat too much highly processed food that is high in sodium and of questionable nutritional value)
4. He lived with chronic stress (stress is a known factor in many disorders, including heart disease)
5. His blood pressure was elevated and showed signs of continuing to rise (it is estimated that about one third of American adults have high blood pressure - and up to 40% of them don't know it).

Changes were made

Larry has changed his thinking. He is now a strong advocate for taking action. He speaks to anyone who will listen about risk factors and doing the "right" things to minimize those risks. He is one of the lucky ones!

What did it take for Larry to make the changes in his life? He nearly died!

For those lucky enough to get a second chance, it's often only then that the necessary lifestyle changes take place. For many, the wake up call never comes... there is no second chance.

Face reality: It can happen to you

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Do you think it can't happen to you? Do you tend to take your health for granted?

Do you avoid thinking about the possibility that you might be at risk for heart disease?

Are you ignoring known risk factors that might be leading you to some serious problems?

This article has one main message: Do not take your health for granted! Assess your health and lifestyle now.

Are you carrying around excess weight?

Do you get adequate exercise?

Are you eating a "heart healthy" diet?

Is there a lot of stress in your life?

Do you smoke?

Has your doctor made suggestions about changes you should make?

Time for action!

Taking action is amazingly therapeutic! Not only will you feel better physically, you'll feel better emotionally simply because you're doing something positive.

Your health depends on it... and your life may hang in the balance!