I am not talking a Hallmark card or candy or flowers, though those are fine, too. I mean the real thing, the organ that makes everything run.
“Todd” is the kind of guy who likes his meat red and his beer cold. He doesn’t need to work out a lot (he says) because he gets a lot of exercise carrying in the groceries and taking out the garbage. Sometimes he even takes the stairs instead of the elevator. Todd used to be a jock in college, and he is used to his body taking of itself. Tammy, his wife, is getting very concerned because she can’t remember when he had his last physical. She really has no idea how to get him in to see his doctor.
“Julie,” who lives on the same block as Todd and Tammy, is the exact opposite. She does yoga several times a week, and walks or runs on the other days. She looks great, but her exercise program isn’t about staying in shape. She has a strong family history of people dying prematurely from heart disease. She thinks she’s taken care of all the risk factors. She also thinks that the reason her neck, shoulder and upper back ache a lot is because she pulled a muscle doing yoga.
The medical facts challenge both Todd and Julie’s understanding of heart disease.
A recent longitudinal study was done by the American Sociological Association. The primary researcher, Kristin W. Springer, analyzed the health of 1,000 middle-aged men who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. The results show that men on average die five years earlier than their female counterparts. The main reason found is because of the “ideals” of manliness. The more manly he feels, the less likely he is to seek preventive treatment. This was just as true of highly educated men as of men with less education. When he finally does go, his medical problems are too advanced to extend or even save his life.
More women than men die of heart disease each year, primarily because women have different symptoms than men, and frequently don’t even realize that they are having a heart attack. Pressure or discomfort in the chest may not even occur. Instead, women may have neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness, or unusual fatigue. Looks like Julie needs to get herself to a doctor, pronto!
Since Todd may be too manly to want to go to the doctor, here are some ideas to help Tammy help him:
• Appeal to the love you have for him, and your genuine concern, telling him, “You are so important to me that I want you to be around for a long time.”
• Schedule a doctor’s appointment just as you schedule all social engagements. Don’t talk about it, and go along with him because you are concerned. Chances he will go because he is concerned about you being concerned.
• Don’t nag. He probably will ignore nagging and it will damage your relationship.
If you would like more information about heart health, go to www.americanheart.org. There is also a wonderful free opportunity for you to learn more about heart health, courtesy of the Health Forum of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Dean Katsamakis, Internal Medicine and Cardiology, affiliated with Resurrection and Lutheran General Hospital, will discuss “Heart Disease-The Silent Killer,” at 11 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Park Ridge Senior Center.
The Park Ridge Health Care Forum will host monthly presentations and discussions at 11 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Park Ridge Senior Center.
The Health Care Forum is collaborative group of health-and-wellness professionals and community partners working to bring health education to the community. Topics will address a variety of health issues related to cardiology, prescription drugs, depression, Medicare scams, new Medicaid changes, health screenings, how to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment, brain health and ideas on how navigate through the health-care process. Refreshments will be served. Attendance is free.
The Health Care Forum is sponsored by the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Park Ridge Park District, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Resurrection Health Care.
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