How are you? How’s your day going? How was work? Most of the time these questions are asked to people we know or to a stranger taking our order. The response is usually the same, “I’m fine.” I cannot tell you how many time I hear the words “I’m fine” constantly throughout the day. We as a nation have grown accustom to this phrase, which now lacks meaning.
The term “I’m fine” is so submissive and vague. I have grown to despise this response because it is so impersonal.
But are you really fine??
In my opinion we as a nation need to wake up and realize that we are not fine. We have a huge problem that consumes our time and efforts, yet we are so oblivious to this issue. The issue is a lack of consideration for our own lives. We focus so much on being successful and working long hours to make money in order to get that dream house or spend money on pointless things that are not benefiting us as a people. We put efforts into watching TV and eating fast food because we need to relax from a busy day, and we are too tired to cook or go exercise.
We have developed and adapted to lazy habits.
What people do not seem to care about is devoting time into themselves on a health stand point. We are blinded by our own lazy desires that we cannot see what the lack of consideration for our own well-being is doing to us.
Did you know that the number one cause of death in America is CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)? The Center of Disease Control and Prevention stated that "heart disease kills 614,348 people every year." So that means that "1 in every 4 people have died from this disease." This is an insane amount of people. The sad thing is that it could have been prevented.
Some of you may ask, what causes CVD?
- Atherosclerosis is a buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries. Plaque buildup thickens and stiffens artery walls, which can inhibit blood flow through your arteries to your organs and tissues."
- "Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. It can be caused by correctable problems, such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking."
We can prevent these by becoming more active and eating a well-balanced diet.
Our increase in obesity has directly affected the rise in people who suffer from CVD. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention says:
- “Most Americans More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese.
- Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.”
I do not take CVD kindly because I have an autoimmune disease involving the thyroid. My disease labels me as "High Risk" for developing cardiovascular disease just because of the condition I was diagnosed with at the age of 11 years old.
There are several risk factors for CVD that may consider you for low or moderate risk:
• Family History
• Age
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• High LDL
• Low HDL
• Dylipdemia
High Risk individuals will have a cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal or metabolic disease.
When are we going to wake up and realize that the thing that is killing our population the most is something that we can prevent???
The most common preventative measure is taking some form of medication that lowers their blood pressure and cholesterol. Why spend so much money on doctor’s visits and pills to cover up the problem, instead of actually finding the solution.
The solution is simple: exercise and nutrition.
We are too lazy to realize this fact. So when someone asks you how you are… and you say “I’m fine,” you are lying to yourself and to your loved ones.
“I’M FINE” is the most simple and basic response, yet it’s the most terrifying.
WE ARE NOT FINE. WE NEED TO BECOME MORE AWARE OF OUR ACTIONS AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR HEALTH.
STOP the prescription and learn about real prevention.