Ikuko Matsumoto writes:
The most important issues for T to
understand right now are lack of awareness of his existent condition, his
hypertensive state, and his feelings of weakness and mild pain in the neck
and upper chest areas, as well as his being diagnosed with early atherosclerosis.
Internal carotid artery carries blood, oxygen and other nourishment to
the brain. If narrowed by atherosclerosis, it will cause significant reduction.
It is a very serious situation.
Other problems follow. First, there is the problem of T's mother's clinical
history. His mother died after heart by-pass surgery complicated by hardening
of the arteries. This means that his condition tends to get worse compared
with the people who have no family history of heart disease. The second
problem is that T is a high-achieving and overworked bureau chief. He is
a Type A personality. So he thinks that he is too busy to pay much attention
to his health right now. Even though he knows the harm of smoking and lack
of exercise, he can't change.
In order to start feeling better in the short term, I will advise him to
know his existing state. He seems to be an optimist. He does not think
his condition is very serious. But he has recently been diagnosed hypertensive,
he frequently experiences feelings of weakness and mild pain in the neck
and upper chest areas, and clinical analyses indicate early atherosclerosis.
These facts are not good. He is in a serious condition. It is necessary
for him to know his existing state. And in order to remove his neck and
chest pain, I will give him a painkiller. But even if it kills pain, it
isn't fundamental care. His pain is caused by early atherosclerosis. In
the case of men, chest pain is associated with heart attack, and hardening
arteries become a cause of myocardial infarction. I have to take means
as early as I can. I will recommend that he see a doctor regularly and
check his cholesterol level. If he needs any medical treatment, I will
recommend him to be treated, even if he says he can't make any time to
bother with these things.
In order to develop ways to prevent heart disease in the long term, first,
I will advise him to stop smoking and take up regular exercise right now.
He knows that it is important for him. But he can't do it. It is a very
big problem. Heavy smoking and lack of exercise is caused heart disease
directly. Smoking accelerates the process that makes the walls of the arteries
gradually thicken. And smokers are increasing their risk of stroke and
heart attack. Smoking has bad effects even among the elderly. People who
continue to smoke in old age have more clogged arteries than people who
don't.
On the other hand regular exercise is good to reduce the level of cholesterol and the level of blood pressure. And long-distance runners have a greater capacity to dilate their coronary arteries and thus markedly increase blood flow to their heart muscle. I will talk about the importance of stopping smoking and taking up regular exercise and recommend him to start running again.
Second, in order to prevent his overweight
condition, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes, I
recommend him to change his diet. For example, he can eat a variety of
fiber rich foods and use low fat dairy products. Third, I suggest him to
decrease his job. He is an able worker, and he owes his success to his
Type A personality. But, his industry causes over-work and it may lead
to disease. It seems difficult but it is necessary for him to reduce his
stress. He should not leave things as is. He should do away with the most
obvious problems.
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