Pop Quiz!?!

Ok we are going to try something new today and say that dreaded statement that teachers always say, "Pop quiz time!"  Yes, a pop quiz, the one thing we all hated in school with no chance to study for it, so let’s give it a shot!  Everyone have their pencils ready and thinking caps on?  Ok the 2 questions for today are: 1) What is the most deadly, silent killer for women and men? 2) Why is it that way?

Ok pencils down.  The answers are 1) Heart disease, and 2) it has no symptoms.  Heart disease statistically kills more people every year than accidents, or other diseases.  The biggest reason is that it shows no symptoms, and since people have no symptoms, they don’t tend to go to the doctor for regular checkups, because they feel fine.

Most people think of heart disease as heart attacks, but it really encompasses so much more than that.  Heart disease can also be an irregular heartbeat, any damage to the heart muscles, or the buildup of the plaque that often leads to a heart attack.  There are many factors that contribute to heart disease with family history being the largest factor.  We all know, from multiple news reports, that an inactive lifestyle, and improper diet, are also a huge factor.  Some other factors include smoking (that topic is for another week), drinking, and not seeing your doctor regularly.

“Well, I don’t drink or smoke, have no family history, and I’m active in my life so I don’t have to worry about heart disease.” you say.  Well, unfortunately, you are wrong.  You always want to talk with your doctor about heart disease even if you don’t have those factors listed above.  There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. Your doctor is the only one who can tell you if you should worry or not.

The good news is heart disease isn’t a life sentence for anyone anymore.  We know so much more than we did even 50 years ago. People are living longer with heart disease than ever.  Giving up vices like drinking and smoking as well as changing your lifestyle can help tremendously.  If you know the factors, and fall into some of them, by talking with your doctor he can help you reduce the odds that you will have any issues.  Heart disease is truly the silent killer, since often times the first symptom you have is death.