HEART DISEASE
OBESITY AND OTHER RISK FACTORS
We are facing an unprecedented and profound rise in obese related disease which has become the epidemic of the 21st century according to 2005 data available from The American Heart Association. Shocking statistics show that upwards of 50-70% of the adult population is overweight and 20-25% of the adult population is obese. These statistics do not include cancer which carries its own price tag that further saps billions in our tax dollars and private health care.
Record costs are associated with obese related diseases and affect us all. Billions of dollars spent in treating come from Medicare and Medicaid that are paid from our tax dollars as well as billions from private health insurers. Future health care costs will wreak havoc on our economy which in turn will affect every one of us.
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Physical inactivity is a major cause of cardio vascular disease. A stroke occurs every 45 seconds and strikes over 700,000 Americans and is the number three killer of Americans. The CDC, Centers for Disease Control, estimates that over 400,000 people die of heart disease in an emergency room or on their way to the hospital. This total represents just about 50% of all cardiac deaths.
In addition, continued consumption of saturated fat foods contributes to strokes and in the long run will take a great toll on our next generation.
No tax will be high enough to pay out the trillions, yes trillions our private insurers and government will spend through Medicare and Medicaid. When business pays higher health care costs, two things happen. The cost of goods goes up as companies continue to pass these higher insurance costs to their employees. Many already do.
The largest risk factors in cardio vascular disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and cigarette smoking. The 2005 estimate of the costs related to cardio vascular disease is a stunning and shocking $400 BILLION DOLLARS.
Let’s take a look at the facts.
CORONARY HEART DISEASE
In 2002 coronary heart disease was responsible for 1 of every 5 deaths, resulting in over 650,000 deaths. Coronary heart disease contributes to a shorter life span resulting in 11.5 years of life lost. In 2005 over 700,000 Americans will have their first coronary attack, myocardial infarction or heart attack. In addition to this number, it is believed an additional 175,000 silent heart attacks happen each year. Survivors of a heart attack have a fifteen times greater risk of illness and death versus the general population. The estimated cost of coronary heart disease is a stunning and shocking $142 BILLION DOLLARS.
THE STORY CONTINUES.
STROKE
Blacks have almost double the risk of having a stroke versus Whites. Mexican Americans are second at risk for having a stroke versus Whites. It is more likely these two ethnic groups will have many without major medical insurance and will be totally reliant on the government Medicare and Medicaid system, thus putting a tremendous financial strain on the system. Stroke almost always requires long term disability due to its horrible effects on the brain and resulting physical disability.
Among all causes of death a stroke ranks number three when considered separately from other cardio vascular diseases. Saturated fats and smoking increase the risk of stroke by 50%. However, physically active people can and will experience a decrease in the risk of stroke. In addition, a diet low in saturated fat, such as those fats found in meat and dairy will also decrease the risk of stroke.
The estimated cost of strokes is a stunning and shocking $56 BILLION DOLLARS annually.
THE STORY CONTINUES.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure is defined as, systolic pressure of 140MM HG or higher and a diastolic pressure of 90MM HG or higher. For your information HG is the letter symbol for mercury and MMHG represents millimeters of mercury.
Prehypertension systolic pressure of 120-139 MM HG and diastolic pressure of 80-89MM HG means that you don't have high blood pressure now but are likely to develop it in the future According to the American Heart Association over 25% of Americans age 18 or older are prehypertensive which is nearly 60 million people with prehypertension.
Obesity, oral contraceptives and diet play major roles in causing high blood pressure.
Blacks in the U.S. suffer the highest rate of hypertension in the world, thus increasing their risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) also known as End Stage Kidney Disease, is closely related to HBP and results in kidney dialysis or kidney transplant. Blacks account for 30% of ESRD patients as well as Native Americans experiencing ESRD frequently.
The estimated cost of H.B.P. is a stunning and shocking $60 BILLION DOLLARS.
THE STORY CONTINUES.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Congestive heart failure carries a higher risk for people suffering from obesity and diabetes. There has been a 150% increase in the past 20 years in congestive heart failure. Over 950,000 people will be admitted to a hospital for congestive heart failure. The estimated cost for congestive heart failure is a stunning and shocking $28 BILLION.
THE STORY CONTINUES.
OTHER CARDIO VASCULAR DISEASES
Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorder) affected over 850,000 people in the year 2000. Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation and paroxysmal Supra Ventricular Tachycardia affects over 120,000 people.
Ventricular fibrillation is thought to be responsible for over 300,000 sudden deaths per year under Coronary Disease.
The total cost from these other cardiovascular related diseases is $2 BILLION.
THE STORY CONTINUES.
DISEASE OF THE ARTERIES
(clogged arteries)
Aortic Aneurysm, Atherosclerosis takes its toll on more than 350,000 people. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affects another 8 to 9 million people.
We clog our arteries with saturated fats found in animal products, meat and dairy. Smoking greatly increases plaque on the artery walls.
Total cost related to disease of the arteries is a stunning and shocking $30 BILLION DOLLARS.
As mentioned earlier. I have not addressed the cost of cancer, osteoporosis and stress. Over a TRILLION DOLLARS is spent annually on Health Care. The cost to business due to the loss of productivity of an individual adds billions more to the cost. Perhaps the greatest cost is to the individual and their family. The suffering immediate family members incur adds to more illnesses and lost productivity among family members.
This must stop. You and your family, your relatives and your friends must take control. We must all take responsibility for our actions and mistakes. We must right our past errors in health and say goodbye to that unhealthy lifestyle. You must take control - your life depends on it.
You have read the costs related to these diseases, both financial and emotional. We must take charge and be responsible.
The trillion dollars spent annually on Health Care in this country can wipe out the budget deficit and cut taxes. It is also equal to Gross Domestic Product of all of South America, Mexico and Africa combined.
OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT
Since 1990 the prevalence of those who are obese increased by 75%. This increase reached across every ethnic group.
The cost related to obesity and overweight is a stunning and shocking $100 BILLION DOLLARS.
TOBACCO
What more can be said of this terrible habit and its addiction. The warning is on the side label of a cigarette pack. Cigarette smoking is probably the most addictive drug known to man. It has no boundaries. It has stretched across every socio-economic class.
It has however decreased dramatically among the general population and our youth in the past 10 years. Sadly, approximately 4000 new smokers appear every day in this U.S. alone.
From 1995 to 2000 over 500,000 people died each year, from smoking related diseases. Approximately 5% of those deaths were cardio vascular related.
It is estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 children younger than 18 months of age suffer from respiratory infections, due to exposure of second hand smoke. Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of death in the U.S. Plaque forms on the artery walls to cause blockage. Combine this with saturated fat intake and you just have cut about 15-20 years off your life and increased the chance of however many years you have left, spending them in a wheel chair. The cost of medical care and lost productivity from tobacco use is an astonishing and stunning $155 BILLION.
Since smoking and drinking seem to go well together, I thought I would add this little tidbit. Alcohol consumption has its very own spot in costs to our economy, billions from medical and lost productivity, accidents, and legal, totaling well over $500 billion.
This is my last word on smoking. If you have never smoked and you start and knowing all we know about smoking and none of it is good, you are quite frankly an idiot. I surely hope my four children are paying attention.
INACTIVITY
As we age we engage in less and less physical activity for many reasons. Clearly working and traveling to and from work takes 10-14 hours of our weekly daytime schedule. It surely takes quite a bit of stamina to walk, jog, or attend an aerobics’ class after 10-14 hour work day.
This is where diet plays such a tremendous role. Eating fast food, eating a diet heavy in saturated fat will leave you feeling lethargic. Eating conventional red meat, non organic foods, further saps your energy. This is an area where the Europeans excel. Dinner is their lightest meal and it will not likely have meat in it. Furthermore, it is consumed between 8-10 p.m. - quite late. Obesity is not a major problem in Europe as it is in the U.S. Although there is a rise in fast food outlets in some large European cities and in time begin to takes its toll on the Europeans, as it has here in the U.S.
A simple 30 minute brisk walk a day can do miracles for our health by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce the incidence of stroke.
The cost related to inactivity is over $75 BILLION DOLLARS annually.
WHAT TO DO TO AVOID THE RISKS
High Cholesterol is as common as the cold in this day and age. Saturated fat is one major factor in 97% of all high cholesterol incidences.
Billions of dollars are spent on the drugs that treat high cholesterol levels. The real treatment is food, whole food. Avoid animal products like red meat, milk and eggs. Start exercising. I BEG YOU. Try this for ninety days - just three months. I am not telling you to give up meat forever. You need to start somewhere and gain control of your life. You can introduce some of these foods back into your life in limited quantity after you have gained some control. I am also not advocating that you stop taking any medication your Primary Physician might have prescribed for you.
After ninety days, pay your physician a visit. Get blood work done, check your weight. See for yourself what you have accomplished. Trust me, you will have accomplished plenty. At that time discuss the medication you are presently taking with your physician. I am sure your physician will be pleased to see you have taken control of your health.
Stay away from fast food; it should be a matter of common sense by now. Hamburgers, french fries, Chinese food, Mexican food, and pizza represent over 15% of our daily total saturated fat intake. Most of it is consumed in one sitting. This leaves no room for the fat that will be consumed at your other meals. Total fat should not be over 30% of total caloric intake with no more than 10% to be saturated fat,-10% is generous. It shouldn’t be there, or it should be lowered to no more than 5% of total saturated fat. I will admit this requires a major shift in eating habits for many. If your life is worth anything, you will make the attempt. It is in our nature to do the right thing. Let’s do it. NOW!
INFINITE HEALTH RESOURCES IS HERE FOR YOU
We at Infinite Health Resources want to save your life. I take this epidemic very seriously. SO SHOULD YOU. We will stop at nothing to attain this goal for you. I personally know it is difficult to change years of bad habits. You must start gradually. Do not attempt to adapt overnight to a fruit and vegetable diet. You destine yourself to failure. We are not introducing a diet here. We are introducing a lifestyle. One of which will be passed on to your future generation an Infinite Health Resource.
We want to help you please join our Healthy Newsletter. We will guide you slowly and gently. However, you must take responsibility for your family’s health. Whether you are a mom, a dad, a husband, or a wife - just take charge. TODAY
Infinite Health Resources does not at any point, for any circumstances suggest that you do not follow or stop medical advice of your physician. We do not advocate any drugs that has not been prescribed by your physician, nor suggest that we are medical doctors nor are we giving medical advice. Infinite Health Resources is here purely as a resource. | 
