Cardiovasculare disease

Heart Ed 101
Lynne E. Smith
Journal of American College Health, Volume 56 No 6

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of Americans. It is the 5th leading cause of death for those between 15-24 years of age. As obesity increases, physical activity decreases, tobacco use and high serum cholestrols, there is evidence of early development of heart disease. This article suggests colleges incorporate heart health in their regular assessments. Smith believes that the college population provides a great opportunity to stress primary prevention.

Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care

Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care
Mary C. Spalding and Sean C. Sebesta
American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp

The population greater than 65 years of age will increase to approximately 21% of the population within by 2050. The leading causes of death for persons 65 years and older are heart disease, malignant neoplasm, cerebrovascular disease and chronic lower respiratory disease. Therefore there is significant opportunity to provide education and counseling for preventative therapies. Those therapies include tobacco cessation, nutrition and exercise counseling. A reduction in tocacco use, a heart healthy diet and increase in physicial activity are known to increase life expectancy and improve health regardless of age. Another improvement strategy to decrease mortality include aspirin use for those patient who do not have contraindications. Evidence based medicine screening is recommended in population greater than 65 years for the following conditions: abdominal aortic aneursym (one time screening), alcohol misue (at least once), aspirin prophylaxis, breast cancer, calcuim supplements (females), cholestrol, colorectal cancer, depression, daibetes, diet, hearing impairment, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis and visual impairment. Other screens had little or no impact.

SIDS

While I think it is important to do all we can as HPs to protect infants from accidental death, I believe in the case of SIDS, where no one can figure out why the baby died, we may need to look beyond the physical. There is research showing that plants have energy bodies - and so do animals. There is research in near death experiences that give convincing arguments that we continue after the death of our physical body. These cause us to consider the unseen forces of life itself. How about that tiny weight loss that occurs just after death?

Some go so far as to say we are a spirit having a physical experience in a physical body on earth. If you can hold that possibility perhaps you may be able to stretch a bit further and think it could be that some souls (individuals) come to experience birth only, or a short life, then choose to leave their body.