Tuesday 12 June 2012

WALKING TIME BOMBS

Beware of heart disease and stroke!

A faithful servant of God in his early 60’s has just discovered that all major coronary arteries supplying his heart are more than 90% blocked. So he is scheduled for coronary bypass surgery. Earlier, he had “chest tightness” which brought him to consult a doctor. Thank God he did not die suddenly of a heart attack.

Some of us may be walking time bombs if we’re not careful. We might just drop dead suddenly, what with our stressful life, indiscriminate eating habits, lack of exercise and failure to go for preventive check-up. We often think it will happen to others but not us

How will we leave this earth one day? Morbid come to think of it but let’s face it. We should not run away from reality.

The commonest way of exiting is not when we get cancer or meet with an accident. By far the most likely terminal event will be a heart attack or stroke, which is related to clogging of our arteries supplying the heart and brain.

The major risk factors for heart disease are:

1. Family history.
2. Hypertension.
3. Diabetes.
4. High cholesterol.
5. Smoking.

You might also add stress, lack of exercise (sedentary life) and obesity. When the obesity is concentrated in the abdomen (pot belly), it is even worse as it is associated with “metabolic syndrome”.

Pot belly is not just something cosmetic. It is a sign of poor health; many risk factors for heart disease are associated with it (pot belly).

Better beware when the only exercise we get is by clicking the mouse or remote control.

You can do yourself a whole lot of good by taking more walks, being wise and selective with your diet, learning how to manage stress (techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises), going for your annual medical check-ups and regularly taking your medications if you have been instructed by the doctor. Be updated on health issues by reading widely.

Those above 40’s should consult a doctor before embarking on a vigourous exercise programme.

Remember it’s all about keeping your coronary arteries unclogged:


Disclaimer: The above is not intended to replace professional medical consultation.

1 comment:

  1. A blog reader commented: “Without faith it is impossible to please God. If you’re not walking by faith, you are going to be fearful and unbelieving. Divine health and divine healing are a result of walking by faith. No matter how much you concern yourself with food and diet, without faith it is futile.”

    My reply: “Trusting God for our health doesn’t mean we have no role to play in maintaining the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). While we need not be finicky health freaks, we still need to practise a healthy lifestyle that looks into areas such as diet, exercise, work-life balance and stress management. Thinking all will be well since God takes care of our health is being foolhardy. Even pastors and missionaries have heart attack and stroke. Clearly having great faith alone is not enough. We still have to take personal responsibility for our health.”

    What is faith to some is foolhardiness to others: http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2013/08/faith-or-foolhardiness.html

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