Saturday, May 12, 2018

Heart to Heart


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The other day, I read an article in the newspaper about a well-known cardiologist, expert in the angioplasty procedure (opening of blocked arteries ). The article (which also included a short interview with him) was full of praise for his skills  and humanity.

What caught my eye, though,  was the number of people undergoing the above procedure - hundreds per year - and that - only in the section of this particular surgeon , at one hospital.
That's quite a lot, considering that nowadays we know more about heart arteries getting clogged and how to prevent that.

Well, in fact, one thing is knowing, and another is doing something about it. People have great difficulty in dealing with stress and addictions to food and smoking -  the main causes of artery clogging. Exercising could help ( the cardiologist of the above mentioned article ,62, runs every morning  before starting his work at the hospital). Most people, however, exercise very little.

While reading the interview , I got the  impression that the surgeon was trying to avoid the subject of adequate life style needed to keep the  arteries clean.   He honestly and happily kept admitting that he saw himself as being a good...plumber, nothing more - implying, perhaps, that  his job was to fix things , not  tell people how to live their lives. 

I suppose, his cardio colleague, the one who's expert in the heart's electrical  activity, and performs ablations (procedure to improve heart rhytm),  sees himself as  a good ...electrician.

May God help us keep away from needing the services of these two life saving 'handymen'!


* web picture - modern logo for plumber



35 comments:

  1. He may be weary from telling people how to prevent it since many just keep eating the french fries. Maybe he gave up! :(

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    1. The fact is, people know more or less what they should or should not do, but as you say, they keep eating the french fries...

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  2. I do my best to eat well...fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, raw nuts feature greatly and daily. I'm not a vegetarian, not entirely, butI eat more of the above than I do meat. Fish and chicken are part of the equation. I would never give up meat, unless I had no option but to do so.

    And dark chocolate, when the mood takes, isn't banned; neither is liquorice, I love liquorice!

    I eat dairy...milk, butter and cheese. The only oil I cook with is olive oil.

    As far as exercises goes...I can't run...my hips don't allow it. They'd break down completely if I tried to...so then I'd need a mechanic or a carpenter!@ :)

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    1. It seems you eat the right products. I love nuts and butter, but seldom have them, as they add to my body weight.
      I'm not sure running is such a good form of excercise. I prefer walking; it's moderate and no less beneficial.

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  3. It is so difficult to eat healthy! We are bombarded daily by so many different mediums to eat fries, burgers, ice cream, chips. I try, in fact have tried all my life to lead a healthy lifestyle. I'm going to be 60 this year and so far have a clean bill of health other than for my bad cholesterol to be slightly elevated...but I sure do love those french fries!

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    1. It sure is, and we all love french fries.
      Researchers are also part of the problem. They're unanimous about smoking: it's bad, stop smoking! When it comes to nutrition, opinions are divided, and there's talk of good fats/bad fats, lean meats/ red meats, and so on. Confusion. Solution- people should listen to their own body.

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  4. Some of us are fighting the battle to maintain our hearts poorly. I too would like to avoid these specialists. You would have loved my heart all vegetable and bean soup. Loaded with the good stuff. Even my husband was pleased-no french fry insight tonight.

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    1. Vegetables and bean soup - good stuff indeed, light and healthy; and it leaves no one hungry at the table.

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  5. I couldn't agree more. Let's be proactive about our health. Exercise and diet require discipline but for those of us who don't want to take medicine or worse have surgery, it's a better fix for sure.

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    1. Discipline, or more precisely self-discipline is the key word. At a certain age, if we don't practice self-discipline, we won't be able to function. Meds and surgery are the very last resort.

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  6. A couple of people in my family had this procedure done recently. We were so glad to extend their lives. Yes they were not good at exercising or eating too healthy. Glad technology allows these doctors to fix us without open heart surgery as often

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    1. Glad to hear their lives were saved.
      Yes, this procedure which involves baloons and stents is less risky than open heart surgery.

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  7. I suffer from heart myself from birth and take pills every day, I will probably die one day from it. It is probably the worst organ to have ill in your body as you usually can't do anything about it, unlike other organs which can rejuvenate themselves with good care. Today's world is certainly not good for our hearts.

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    1. I'm touched by your honesty, Dezmond. I also totally agree with your last sentence about today's world and its impact on our hearts.
      However, we must keep optimistic as there are constant 'breakthroughs' concerning this vital organ.

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  8. Thank you for posting it is good information.

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  9. So much information comes at us from the media about health issues and healthy eating and living that it is easy to get confused about the right way to look after ourselves, so all we can is listen to our own instincts about what our body needs to be healthy and disregard all the other extra info!

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    1. Indeed - lots of information. We shouldn't disregard it, but practice caution and moderation when trying to include this info in out daily life.

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  10. It's an interesting analogy and I agree with it but yes, I feel it's at least his responsibility to say, "I can't change the way you live but I want to be sure you know the implications of ... whatever." Not preach or dwell, but at least make sure people are aware. You can't push rope -- if one doesn't want to change they won't. But at least they should know. I am in awe of all they can do.

    And on another note, thanks for stopping by Marmelade Gypsy yesterday!

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    1. You're absolutely right.
      Doctors usually do warn their patients of smoking, overweight, salt and sugar - the well- known 'bad guys'. They have, however, much less knowledge in 'stress','sports',travel, and other life style matters that could greatly affect our health.

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  11. I'm definitely hoping to avoid needing the skills of these docs, but I agree, it's not always easy to live a healthy lifestyle.

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    1. No, it's not easy. We cannot control genetics, we cannot always control stress; we can control addictions, but it's difficult.

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  12. I would think GPS have such a hard time getting people to change their eating habits and lifestyle. My JB is on chemicals that cause him issues. It is so complicated.

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    1. Complicated, no doubt about that.
      GPs themselves are only human beings, and as such have also a hard time if and when they need dieting, giving up smoking, or finding time for exercising. So, they're usually not too surprised of their patients'attitude towards change of habits.

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  13. Bom dia, Julgo que a maioria das pessoas sabem (estão conscientes) que devem praticar o exercício físico e ter uma alimentação mais saudável, acontece também, que a maioria das pessoas não conseguem dar tempo ao tempo causado pela sua vida profissional, a vida é exigente, obriga a tal maioria a contabilizar os minutos.
    Feliz semana,
    AG

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    1. True. Most of us people are aware of the importance of proper life habits, but we're weak when it comes to change; and so we might pay a heavy price.

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  14. Hi Duta! You said it all... "May God help us keep away from needing the services of these two life saving 'handymen!"

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    1. I've said it, and I mean it. A prayer to God for help, is a Must, as we humans are weak and greedy.

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  15. Every time I see an advertisement for some sort of drug to help with this or that ailment it always has all the negatives associated with the medication. Sometimes, it seems that the cure could be worse than the affliction.

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    1. So true! Meds could sometimes make the ailment worse. People should be cautious and listen to their body.

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  16. I think if we eat whole fresh food and keep clear of eating (too much) processed foods it can help a healthier life.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I would add the phrase 'in moderation'. There are healthy, unprocessed foods that add weight, and being overweight is not healthy.

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  17. Excellent point. Too many physicians especially in America take that point of view. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the late 1990's and suffered greatly, took lots of meds and my rheumatologist dismissed any idea that there was any natural solution. I finally had enough and found a different doctor. I am off of all medicines and no pain. Eating right and exercising has been amazing.

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    1. I'm glad to hear about the happy end of your experience. By now, we all know that the right nutrition is crucial for our health.

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