Some of us have a fear of dying. Some would rather hope for a quick and easy death, without having to go through the anxiety and fear. Often, when we hear of people who died while playing golf, mahjong or in their sleep, we comment, 'What a nice way to go off!'
One of the reasons why people die suddenly is due to a sudden heart attack. According to a definition:
"Heart attacks, also known as acute myocardial infarction, are usually caused by a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle (myocardium). This interruption of blood supply starves the heart muscle of oxygen and causes muscle tissue to die (infarction). This is usually caused by an atherosclerotic plaque: a mass of cholesterol, other fatty substances and cellular matter that has built up on the wall of the coronary artery. These unstable atherosclerotic plaques can rupture or tear, causing a blood clot (thrombus) to form which can block the artery and cause a heart attack."
Some people actually said, 'Why worry about high cholesterol or high blood pressure when it helps us to die suddenly?' There are many who chose not to subject themselves to regular medical check-ups, partly because of their fear of knowing what could be wrong with them ('ignorance is bliss') and their inaction worries their family members who care. While they might wish for a quick or sudden death, there is also a possibility of ending up as invalids who need extra medical or other attention which can drain them financially as well as their close ones emotionally. Below is someone's story which helps to explain this common situation or dilemma:
"One of my friends father who is a retiree in his mid-60s, is perfectly healthy looking and behaving normal, plays his round of golf each Sunday, does a fair bit of gardening, keeps himself busy the rest of his time helping his son's (my friend's) little retail business, and goes on tour/trips every now and then .....
He was persuaded by his daughters and other well wishers to go for His medical checkup which he had last done before retirement some 10 years ago. He didn't see the need to do it as he was feeling perfectly ok and healthy.
Of course he didn't want to spend the money. After persistent persuasion from his family he finally gave in (his daughters agreed to foot the bill).
First, his blood test revealed a total cholesterol count well above the 5.2 threshold (in fact close to 6). The doctor advised that he went for his stressed ECG test.
Again he had to be persistently persuaded to go thru that test, which he did. And it revealed some abnormality with his heart.
Now the doctor advised that he went thru angiogram. He resisted again and again after much pestering he subscribed to that invasive test.....which revealed three (3) blockages in his heart. And the doctor advised he went thru angioplasty.
This time he was adamant not to go any further. But it was like the end of the world for his family members who were all highly educated people with learned common sense. They went thru the highest mountains and deepest oceans to convince the old man to go thru angioplasty.
The surgery was successful. And he was given a clean bill of health. His heart is revitalized and cleared of all blockages. After returning Home from the hospital, his family (especially his daughters) put him on a "healthy" diet. Strictly no meat...only vegetables and fruits, with perhaps an occasional dish of steamed fish... no oil.
The result.... the poor old man became weaker, couldn't drive his golf ball the distance he used to, got tired easily when he did his gardening, lost a lot of weight (which everyone was happy because they see him getting healthier that way), went to bed unusually early ('cause he got tired sitting up late watching the sports channels).... in a nutshell he actually got weaker and probably suffering from mal-nutrition!
Hardly 2 months after the angioplasty he passed away, supposedly from Heart complications. All of a sudden, a few family doctor friends were able to offer explanations. One of them had this to say...
Heart blockages do not happen over-night. They are built up of time. And the body has somehow gotten used to the blockages. As long as the effects of the blockages are not life threatening, it may be best leaving them alone. Maybe it is better not to know about this. For most men at that advanced age already have blockages, some may be even worse. Not knowing it has one clear advantage. There won't be any STRESS imposed on the person.
And STRESS is the killer.
Some may not respond well with angioplasty. With the heart cleared of its blockages, the blood flow will be unrestricted. And sometimes the body (even the heart may not be used to this new revitalized condition) may not know how to cope with it quick enough. Coupled with a "healthy" diet of just fruits and vegetables which are not the usual and normal intake of this person, may and can do further damage.
So it's a combination of all these that could have killed this poor old man who was, just 2 months ago, a healthy bubbly man living a perfectly normal STRESS FREE retired life.
Today my friend and his siblings all regretted what they had done to their father.
Moral of the story is not to be extreme and take everything in life in its stride and with moderation.
One more thing.... my family doctor, age late 40s, hardly takes meat, a good sportsman, has a total cholesterol count of 6.
Some times it's in the genes. Like my 99 year-old mother-in-law who lives by herself, does her own marketing, cooks her own food, never eats any meat that is not fat all her life, hates lean meat, cholesterol so bloody high ......and she is still kicking and so mentally alert. One thing....she's got NO STRESS.
She only gives STRESS to all others around her. That's probably why she's living alone by herself.
So my friends... Don't get paranoid and stressed up for nothing!!! "
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One of the reasons why people die suddenly is due to a sudden heart attack. According to a definition:
"Heart attacks, also known as acute myocardial infarction, are usually caused by a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle (myocardium). This interruption of blood supply starves the heart muscle of oxygen and causes muscle tissue to die (infarction). This is usually caused by an atherosclerotic plaque: a mass of cholesterol, other fatty substances and cellular matter that has built up on the wall of the coronary artery. These unstable atherosclerotic plaques can rupture or tear, causing a blood clot (thrombus) to form which can block the artery and cause a heart attack."
Some people actually said, 'Why worry about high cholesterol or high blood pressure when it helps us to die suddenly?' There are many who chose not to subject themselves to regular medical check-ups, partly because of their fear of knowing what could be wrong with them ('ignorance is bliss') and their inaction worries their family members who care. While they might wish for a quick or sudden death, there is also a possibility of ending up as invalids who need extra medical or other attention which can drain them financially as well as their close ones emotionally. Below is someone's story which helps to explain this common situation or dilemma:
"One of my friends father who is a retiree in his mid-60s, is perfectly healthy looking and behaving normal, plays his round of golf each Sunday, does a fair bit of gardening, keeps himself busy the rest of his time helping his son's (my friend's) little retail business, and goes on tour/trips every now and then .....
He was persuaded by his daughters and other well wishers to go for His medical checkup which he had last done before retirement some 10 years ago. He didn't see the need to do it as he was feeling perfectly ok and healthy.
Of course he didn't want to spend the money. After persistent persuasion from his family he finally gave in (his daughters agreed to foot the bill).
First, his blood test revealed a total cholesterol count well above the 5.2 threshold (in fact close to 6). The doctor advised that he went for his stressed ECG test.
Again he had to be persistently persuaded to go thru that test, which he did. And it revealed some abnormality with his heart.
Now the doctor advised that he went thru angiogram. He resisted again and again after much pestering he subscribed to that invasive test.....which revealed three (3) blockages in his heart. And the doctor advised he went thru angioplasty.
This time he was adamant not to go any further. But it was like the end of the world for his family members who were all highly educated people with learned common sense. They went thru the highest mountains and deepest oceans to convince the old man to go thru angioplasty.
The surgery was successful. And he was given a clean bill of health. His heart is revitalized and cleared of all blockages. After returning Home from the hospital, his family (especially his daughters) put him on a "healthy" diet. Strictly no meat...only vegetables and fruits, with perhaps an occasional dish of steamed fish... no oil.
The result.... the poor old man became weaker, couldn't drive his golf ball the distance he used to, got tired easily when he did his gardening, lost a lot of weight (which everyone was happy because they see him getting healthier that way), went to bed unusually early ('cause he got tired sitting up late watching the sports channels).... in a nutshell he actually got weaker and probably suffering from mal-nutrition!
Hardly 2 months after the angioplasty he passed away, supposedly from Heart complications. All of a sudden, a few family doctor friends were able to offer explanations. One of them had this to say...
Heart blockages do not happen over-night. They are built up of time. And the body has somehow gotten used to the blockages. As long as the effects of the blockages are not life threatening, it may be best leaving them alone. Maybe it is better not to know about this. For most men at that advanced age already have blockages, some may be even worse. Not knowing it has one clear advantage. There won't be any STRESS imposed on the person.
And STRESS is the killer.
Some may not respond well with angioplasty. With the heart cleared of its blockages, the blood flow will be unrestricted. And sometimes the body (even the heart may not be used to this new revitalized condition) may not know how to cope with it quick enough. Coupled with a "healthy" diet of just fruits and vegetables which are not the usual and normal intake of this person, may and can do further damage.
So it's a combination of all these that could have killed this poor old man who was, just 2 months ago, a healthy bubbly man living a perfectly normal STRESS FREE retired life.
Today my friend and his siblings all regretted what they had done to their father.
Moral of the story is not to be extreme and take everything in life in its stride and with moderation.
One more thing.... my family doctor, age late 40s, hardly takes meat, a good sportsman, has a total cholesterol count of 6.
Some times it's in the genes. Like my 99 year-old mother-in-law who lives by herself, does her own marketing, cooks her own food, never eats any meat that is not fat all her life, hates lean meat, cholesterol so bloody high ......and she is still kicking and so mentally alert. One thing....she's got NO STRESS.
She only gives STRESS to all others around her. That's probably why she's living alone by herself.
So my friends... Don't get paranoid and stressed up for nothing!!! "
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