Life, whether you believe it or not, is precious. But... Life, regardless if you mean to or not, is taken for granted and mistreated everyday. And yes... I, too, am guilty of this heinous act. However... Today, here and now, is the time to change that!
Whole milk dairy products, ice cream, butter, eggs, shrimp, and liver are only a few food high in cholesterol.
Chad, why are you talking about high cholesterol?
Well, my friends, 25% of Americans in the United States die of heart disease each year; that's a 1 to 4 ratio.1 BUT... The real reason is, I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, and it scares the poop out of me.
Life is ironic.
A guy who has never touched a cigarette in his life. A skinny twig. An active jump roper. High cholesterol? Ironic.
The doctor determined it was hereditary, and I was started on medication--Simvastatin 40 mg PO hs. The funny thing is, I have given several of my 60+ year old patients lower doses of this same medication. Ironic!
With all ironic-ness set aside, I want to bring awareness of heart disease prevention. Everyone, young and old, should be proactive in their healthcare. I'd first like to start off by giving my definition of what cholesterol is. If you would like a more professional definition or more information, I would encourage looking at American Heart Association [AHA], Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], MayoClinic, or WebMD.
Cholesterol [a waxy, fat-like substance that the body needs] is similar to hair in a bathtub drain. Though, your body does need cholesterol, too much can be detrimental to your health. Like hair in a bathtub, if you have too much of it, it's harder for the water to drain. Too much wax build-up in the arteries can harden and form plaque, making it harder to perfuse vital organs, such as the heart and brain. This sometimes can lead to a complete blockage--myocardial infarction/stroke.
Do you see why this issue is so important?
Risk factors and prevention according to the CDC 1:
Whole milk dairy products, ice cream, butter, eggs, shrimp, and liver are only a few food high in cholesterol.
Chad, why are you talking about high cholesterol?
Well, my friends, 25% of Americans in the United States die of heart disease each year; that's a 1 to 4 ratio.1 BUT... The real reason is, I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, and it scares the poop out of me.
Life is ironic.
A guy who has never touched a cigarette in his life. A skinny twig. An active jump roper. High cholesterol? Ironic.
The doctor determined it was hereditary, and I was started on medication--Simvastatin 40 mg PO hs. The funny thing is, I have given several of my 60+ year old patients lower doses of this same medication. Ironic!
With all ironic-ness set aside, I want to bring awareness of heart disease prevention. Everyone, young and old, should be proactive in their healthcare. I'd first like to start off by giving my definition of what cholesterol is. If you would like a more professional definition or more information, I would encourage looking at American Heart Association [AHA], Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], MayoClinic, or WebMD.
Cholesterol [a waxy, fat-like substance that the body needs] is similar to hair in a bathtub drain. Though, your body does need cholesterol, too much can be detrimental to your health. Like hair in a bathtub, if you have too much of it, it's harder for the water to drain. Too much wax build-up in the arteries can harden and form plaque, making it harder to perfuse vital organs, such as the heart and brain. This sometimes can lead to a complete blockage--myocardial infarction/stroke.
Do you see why this issue is so important?
Risk factors and prevention according to the CDC 1:
- Hereditary: Inevitable
- Age: Inevitable [greater than 25 years]
- Diabetes: Maintaining blood sugars levels between 70-110 is optimal.
- Diet: Avoid saturated fats, trans fats, and triglycerides. Increase monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- Weight: Lose weight and maintain a health body mass index [BMI].
- Physical Inactivity: Adhere to a moderate-intense exercise regimen for a least 30 mins [most days of the week].
- Smoking: This is a nasty habit and no one should do it. You're not only increasing your chances of heart disease, but you're also harming the innocent with second-hand smoke.
I never thought I would have health issues at such a young age with the level of activity in my life. But... I do. Life, so crazy and unpredictable, can be taken away at any moment. And... Life, not promised to anyone, will go on with or without us. So... Today is the day to make a healthier change. Because... There is no sense in dying young.
... Here's to a healthier, longer life!
1 CDC.
(2010). Cholesterol. Retrieved August 28, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol.
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Update:
Where do I start? You already know about the cholesterol, so yesterday's Facebook status can pretty much sums it all up in a nutshell.
Sh-long for now.
Rankin Out!
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