Hiroaki Watanabe writes:
First, T must understand that he isn't
one of the lucky people. This fact is important for he has recently been
diagnosed "hypertensive" (170/100mmhg), and he frequently experiences
feelings of weakness and mild pain in the neck and chest areas. And clinical
analyses indicate early atherosclerosis. "Hypertension" is one
of the risk factors of CHD. And even though CHD's death rate in the United
States has declined approximately 50% since 1970, CHD remains the leading
cause of death for both men and women. He must understand the fact that
"I am not a lucky man, but I am a man who has the danger of death
by CHD".
He tells us that his parents lived well into their sixties, (his mother
died after heart by-pass surgery complicated by hardening of the arteries)
and "I am too young". But he hasn't compared his real situation
with that of his mother. After this, the situation which he will be meeting
with will produce high anxiety. In the case of men, "there is a great
sense of urgency when a 45-year-old -man, who's at the peak of his earning
power and may have children entering college, is struck down prematurely
with a myocardial infarction." Even now, T at age 39 is "hypertensive",
so this time is the dangerous period for him.
In short, the danger will approach him. The danger is a myocardial infarction
by stress (by a great sense of urgency) and hypertension and smoking. If
he can not take away these three problems, his danger is certainly increasing.
About heart attack, the doctor can prescribe the use of aspirin. Studies
show that aspirin, which is widely available and costs very little, is
as effective as specialized drugs and the other drugs that cost hundreds
of dollars per dose. But this passing solution isn't complete. For a complete
solution, T must change his lifestyle. It is difficult to change his character,
but it is comparatively easy to reduce his smoking and to take up regular
exercise. That is, the problem of decreasing smoking and taking up regular
exercise is his own will. If he understands his danger, I think that he
can do this. It's possible that he can reduce a cigarette a day, every
day. And it is possible that he doesn't use vehicles and walks or runs
as much as he can.
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