What Dreams May Come

Knowing what you want from life is one of the first steps to making your dreams come true. While some may dream of a luxury car, successful career, or traveling abroad, others spend time imagining simpler pleasures, such as their child's first steps, a college reunion, or their 50th wedding anniversary. To make these dreams a reality however, you may need to do a little "healthcare homework."

While You Were Dreaming
Many of us harbor common, yet silent conditions, which can alter these hopes and dreams. While we are dreaming, and even while we are awake, hundreds of thousands of Americans are subject to health concerns that can end their lives prematurely or jeopardize its quality. Climbing blood pressure rates, higher-than-average cholesterol and stress are the invisible factors responsible. More visible, but equally concerning, is the obesity factor. Most assuredly, simple weight gain, over time, can have a profound impact on your health.

 

Blood pressure levels are unique to each person, but a reading of 140/90 or more is usually considered high.  A reading between 120/80 and 139/89 is prehypertensive.

To help you listen in on these silent indicators, set an appointment to have a professional health evaluation. By having an annual physical, you are actually putting yourself in a position of strength and taking control of factors that could adversely affect your dreams. Keeping informed about these common, yet risky, health conditions will enable you to realize your future hopes and expectations. So please take a moment to eavesdrop on the silence that can have a devastating impact on your dreams, if not managed to your healthcare advantage.

Listening In On Silence
High blood pressure can be sourced to a number of causes, only one of  which is stress. When your blood pressure starts climbing, one of your body's most important organs, the heart, can ultimately pay the price. As blood pressure rises, the heart's workload increases because the inner lining of the blood vessels becomes damaged. This makes it easier for cholesterol and other substances to build up and cause damage. While high blood pressure can be a very manageable condition when controlled with medication, many people don't know they have it because they don't feel it. Diseased coronary arteries may result, blocking the blood flow and oxygen needed for the heart to thrive and operate at peak performance.

Cholesterol, an essential nutrient needed for body functions, is actually a type of fat or lipid. High levels of cholesterol can  interfere with how the heart functions. Since your body receives most of what it needs from your liver, you don't really need to actively seek foods to increase cholesterol, but many of us do. If you eat things like chips, fast food, cheeses, eggs and fried foods on a regular basis, you could be one of the 140,000 Americans who have a borderline or high cholesterol level. While a borderline-high blood cholesterol reading is 200, a high level is 240 or more. So beware when you are tempted by a fantastic ice cream treat or a tantalizing piece of creamy cheesecake. You too could be the victim of the cholesterol stalker, low-density lipoprotein, AKA: bad cholesterol.

Stress, though silent, can present as "larger-than-life" when out-of-control. It can be chronic, which may involve long-lasting dissatisfaction with work or home environments, and can also affect relationships and self-confidence, resulting in a feeling of isolation and loneliness. Acute or shorter-term stress is more immediate. It may only last a few minutes, but can last as long as days or weeks.

Chronic stress, depending on its severity or duration, can suppress and batter the immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The key to stress management is the employment of positive coping mechanisms that can relieve burdensome worries. While some will find solace in exercise, such as walking, yoga or golf, others will seek relief from increased social interaction. Adverse coping responses, such as drug and alcohol abuse, violent behavior and obsessive compulsiveness, often lead to increased stress.

Obesity. The definition of obesity has recently changed. It is no longer defined as a percent above a specified average or ideal weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) is now the official measurement tool. Obesity is now dependent on how much fat is comprised in your total weight, given your height. A BMI of 30 or more generally qualifies one as obese, unless his or her weight is comprised of muscle, rather than fat. You are considered "overweight" if your BMI is between 25 and 30.

There are many problems associated with obesity, which can lead to serious health concerns and life-threatening diseases. It is important to remember however, that each person is unique in the way obesity affects them, and their likelihood to incur these problems. Your physical activity, gender, age and distribution of fat can play a large role in the degree of risk.

Taking Back Control
Your future health is largely dependent on your actions now. So take a moment and call your physician's office to schedule an appointment for an annual physical. An action taken now may prevent harmful conditions from preying on your future well-being, allowing you to hold on to your dreams.

In addition to having annual reviews with your primary care provider and specialists, don't forget to take advantage of the free health screenings offered at GBMC listed on the events calendar.