Every year my car goes off for it's annual service and MOT. It is a legal requirement. My car is checked for any defects. These are put right, and keeps me and my passengers safe.
Sometimes I think oh this is such an unecessary expense. The cost of new tyres, another king pin snapped, light bulb is waning...all costs but all hidden dangers. Big noticeable problems and small hidden ones.
But should I really put a price on my life, and those who are in the car with me, or even others out on the roads and paths?
So why don't we do the same to our bodies? Why do we always wait to be ill before we go to the Doctors? Why wait until it's too late? Our body alerts us to things starting to go wrong but we often ignore them as we don't want the hassle of going to the Doctors, or losing pay from taking time off work. Sometimes the niggle goes away and we forget, or we think we are fixed.
Hindsight is a magical quality, but it can't always save a life.
Eight years ago I lost 7 stone. I actually went to the Doctors for an MOT. I was at my fittest and healthiest so why did I go?
I wanted to have a check up to make sure I hadn't done any damage to myself losing the weight. I had done that slowly through sensible eating and exercise. I just felt it was something I should do. Lucky for me I did, or I may not be here now.
I, (the Rambling Duck), was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholestral. I was prescribed medication for both. I am now monitored to ensure that both the cholestral stays low and that my blood pressure doesn't spiral up. I have a herditary condition. I will always be on the tablets, despite my continued sensible eating and exercising, and trust me, I do more of that than ever before! High Blood Pressure is a silent killer.
By 45 of years of age both my Mother, Uncle and Grandfather had had their first heart attack, and thrombosis clots. By 50 my Mother had a stroke and Angina. By 55 my Uncle had lost his eye sight to high blood pressure problems. My Grand father had a number of heart operations. During both of my pregnancies I had pre-clampsia, yet after the children were born I was never monitored for any thing else related, or cause questioned. With my family history that surely suggests I am in for a similar roller coaster ride. I reflect on that in hind sight. But luckily I have already been to the Doctors. I have already had the hereditary condition I am predisposed to checked, comfirmed and medicated for. I have better chances and odds than my Mother, Uncle and Grandfather.
There are a few groups that actively encourage you to go to the Doctors for check ups. Do ask about any family medical history. This isn't a drama stop. Just a sensible precaution. Like the car, if you know it's previous history you are listening out for clues of breakdown. Like an MOT, a problem can be detected before it becomes a disaster. Arrogance and/or ignorance is never a good indicator that you will always be well. You may be fit and go to the gym regularly, or run daily, or walk miles. You may have a sensible diet, drink in moderation and not smoke. But that doesn't exclude you from a variety of predisposed conditions or underlaying medical conditions.
Be wise, get wise and wise up!
Are you at risk? Why wait to find out?
Call your Doctor now.
Heart disease can be detected and monitored early. Read about some of the great research work at the British Heart Foundation. In particular detecting and predicting early heart attacks. Without causing distress please also read and see the video about a heart attack.
It's not a curse of the older generation either. Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions. CRY was founded in 1995 to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD); Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS); SADS
CRY's Vision 2012: to work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the UK.
I will be writing more about CRY and the BHF initiatives to promote early detection of heart disease, keeping our hearts healthy and getting the petition signed for ELS in schools.
Sometimes I think oh this is such an unecessary expense. The cost of new tyres, another king pin snapped, light bulb is waning...all costs but all hidden dangers. Big noticeable problems and small hidden ones.
But should I really put a price on my life, and those who are in the car with me, or even others out on the roads and paths?
So why don't we do the same to our bodies? Why do we always wait to be ill before we go to the Doctors? Why wait until it's too late? Our body alerts us to things starting to go wrong but we often ignore them as we don't want the hassle of going to the Doctors, or losing pay from taking time off work. Sometimes the niggle goes away and we forget, or we think we are fixed.
Hindsight is a magical quality, but it can't always save a life.
Eight years ago I lost 7 stone. I actually went to the Doctors for an MOT. I was at my fittest and healthiest so why did I go?
I wanted to have a check up to make sure I hadn't done any damage to myself losing the weight. I had done that slowly through sensible eating and exercise. I just felt it was something I should do. Lucky for me I did, or I may not be here now.
I, (the Rambling Duck), was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholestral. I was prescribed medication for both. I am now monitored to ensure that both the cholestral stays low and that my blood pressure doesn't spiral up. I have a herditary condition. I will always be on the tablets, despite my continued sensible eating and exercising, and trust me, I do more of that than ever before! High Blood Pressure is a silent killer.
By 45 of years of age both my Mother, Uncle and Grandfather had had their first heart attack, and thrombosis clots. By 50 my Mother had a stroke and Angina. By 55 my Uncle had lost his eye sight to high blood pressure problems. My Grand father had a number of heart operations. During both of my pregnancies I had pre-clampsia, yet after the children were born I was never monitored for any thing else related, or cause questioned. With my family history that surely suggests I am in for a similar roller coaster ride. I reflect on that in hind sight. But luckily I have already been to the Doctors. I have already had the hereditary condition I am predisposed to checked, comfirmed and medicated for. I have better chances and odds than my Mother, Uncle and Grandfather.
There are a few groups that actively encourage you to go to the Doctors for check ups. Do ask about any family medical history. This isn't a drama stop. Just a sensible precaution. Like the car, if you know it's previous history you are listening out for clues of breakdown. Like an MOT, a problem can be detected before it becomes a disaster. Arrogance and/or ignorance is never a good indicator that you will always be well. You may be fit and go to the gym regularly, or run daily, or walk miles. You may have a sensible diet, drink in moderation and not smoke. But that doesn't exclude you from a variety of predisposed conditions or underlaying medical conditions.
Be wise, get wise and wise up!
Are you at risk? Why wait to find out?
Call your Doctor now.
Heart disease can be detected and monitored early. Read about some of the great research work at the British Heart Foundation. In particular detecting and predicting early heart attacks. Without causing distress please also read and see the video about a heart attack.
It's not a curse of the older generation either. Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions. CRY was founded in 1995 to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD); Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS); SADS
CRY's Vision 2012: to work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the UK.
I will be writing more about CRY and the BHF initiatives to promote early detection of heart disease, keeping our hearts healthy and getting the petition signed for ELS in schools.
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