America's No. 1 Killer: Cardiovascular Disease. How Americanized do you really want to become?

[FortLaudy 10]

Thanks - that completely fails to address what I said.

So are you saying that certain health problems should be totally exempt from healthcare assistance? Anyone who needs any heart related surgery, lung cancer or liver disease - got into that position because they were negligent?

The American Heart Association has identified several factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some of these risk factors you can't control, such as increasing age, family health history, and race and gender. But you can modify, treat or control most risk factors to lower your risk.

What risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled by focusing on lifestyle habits and taking medicine, if needed?

Tobacco smoke — Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular heart disease among women. Women who smoke have an increased risk for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Constant exposure to others' tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) at work or at home also increases the risk, even for nonsmokers. Women smokers who use birth control pills have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than nonsmokers who use them.

High blood cholesterol — High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and also increases the risk of stroke. Studies show that women's cholesterol is higher than men's from age 55 on. High levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) raise the risk of heart disease and heart attack. High levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) lower the risk of heart disease. Research has shown that low levels of HDL cholesterol seem to be a stronger risk factor for women than for men.

High blood pressure — High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and the most important risk factor for stroke. Women have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they are obese, have a family history of high blood pressure, are pregnant, take certain types of birth control pills or have reached menopause. African-American women have higher average blood pressure levels compared to Caucasian women.

Physical inactivity — Various studies have shown that lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease and indirectly increases the risk of stroke. Overall, they found that heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. When you're inactive and eat too much, you can gain excess weight. In many people overweight can lead to high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends accumulating at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most or all days of the week.

Obesity and overweight — If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is located in your waist area — you're at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes mellitus — Adults with diabetes have have heart disease death rates that are two to four times those of adults without diabetes. People with diabetes often have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their risk even more.

What other factors contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke in women?

High triglyceride levels — Triglyceride is a common type of fat in the body. A high triglyceride level often goes with higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, lower levels of HDL and increased risk of diabetes. But scientists don't agree that it's a risk factor for heart disease by itself. Research suggests that having high triglycerides may increase the risk for women more than for men.

Excessive alcohol intake — The risk of heart disease in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one drink for women per day) is lower than in nondrinkers. However, it's not recommended that nondrinkers start using alcohol or increase the amount they drink. Excessive drinking and binge drinking can contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form.

Individual response to stress — Research hasn't yet defined the role stress plays in the development of heart disease. People respond differently to situations they find stressful. Unhealthy responses to stress may lead to other risk behaviors like smoking and overeating.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No, Gary what bothers me is the conceit (there you go with your ego again) that you are fully independent. You aren't - you make use of the social infrastructure - to pretend otherwise is a delusion.

So I ask again - if a person requires major life-saving surgery and cannot afford it, in your view do they deserve to die?

No. Of course not. Where did I ever say that? Why is it necessary to go to an extreme to prove the ridiculous. Because I have no problem with paying my share to save someone's life that cannot afford it...does not mean I support paying for their daily vitamin, blood test, or regular doctor visit.

How is it conceit to pay for one's own medical bills? How does my doing so make anything worse for you? Or Madame Cleo? That contention is just ludicrous. That somehow writing a check for my surgery was "sponging off" others? I also pay my electric bill, gas bill, buy my own food, OMG is there no end to my audacity!!!!!!!!!!! When will I ever stop TAKING and give something back? Now that I have answered your very silly (and completely irrelevent) question...answer mine, please...

what is offensive about someone paying their own medical bills?

The American Heart Association has identified several factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some of these risk factors you can't control, such as increasing age, family health history, and race and gender. But you can modify, treat or control most risk factors to lower your risk.

What risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled by focusing on lifestyle habits and taking medicine, if needed?

Tobacco smoke — Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular heart disease among women. Women who smoke have an increased risk for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Constant exposure to others' tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) at work or at home also increases the risk, even for nonsmokers. Women smokers who use birth control pills have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than nonsmokers who use them.

High blood cholesterol — High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and also increases the risk of stroke. Studies show that women's cholesterol is higher than men's from age 55 on. High levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) raise the risk of heart disease and heart attack. High levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) lower the risk of heart disease. Research has shown that low levels of HDL cholesterol seem to be a stronger risk factor for women than for men.

High blood pressure — High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and the most important risk factor for stroke. Women have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they are obese, have a family history of high blood pressure, are pregnant, take certain types of birth control pills or have reached menopause. African-American women have higher average blood pressure levels compared to Caucasian women.

Physical inactivity — Various studies have shown that lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease and indirectly increases the risk of stroke. Overall, they found that heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. When you're inactive and eat too much, you can gain excess weight. In many people overweight can lead to high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends accumulating at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most or all days of the week.

Obesity and overweight — If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is located in your waist area — you're at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes mellitus — Adults with diabetes have have heart disease death rates that are two to four times those of adults without diabetes. People with diabetes often have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their risk even more.

What other factors contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke in women?

High triglyceride levels — Triglyceride is a common type of fat in the body. A high triglyceride level often goes with higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, lower levels of HDL and increased risk of diabetes. But scientists don't agree that it's a risk factor for heart disease by itself. Research suggests that having high triglycerides may increase the risk for women more than for men.

Excessive alcohol intake — The risk of heart disease in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one drink for women per day) is lower than in nondrinkers. However, it's not recommended that nondrinkers start using alcohol or increase the amount they drink. Excessive drinking and binge drinking can contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form.

Individual response to stress — Research hasn't yet defined the role stress plays in the development of heart disease. People respond differently to situations they find stressful. Unhealthy responses to stress may lead to other risk behaviors like smoking and overeating.

[Peikko 1,575]

I do not proclaim model citizen status, you gave that to me. I speak the truth and pay my own way. How is that "sponging off" others? Why is that offensive? How is it irresponsible to pay my own medical bills, pay off my mortgage, write a check for the cars? The credit crunch has no affect on me. I do not know my credit score and don't care. I do not play the credit game.

The idea that a person that pays for their own family is irresponsible is preposterous. Do you have a clue how silly that sounds?

so if THAT is what is offensive, then it is a reflection on you...not me

No, I did not, you are claiming it by virtue of your 'indepent operation in this world' which is bullshit.

You appear to understand that you benefit from economies of scale, but yet you appear oblivious of the fact that those economies of scale in areas of health treatment like the surgery you underwent were only possible because of the inefficient yet necessary health insurance schemes that you refuse to take part in and you refuse to beleive that your treatment has been subsidized by everyone who pays into the only health insurance schemes available. That this is the faulty system we have is one thing, but that without this faulty system things would be ever so much better for the average person (the perfectly responsible average citizen who pays his/her own way as best they can (not some loser on benefits) in terms of health care is laughable at best.

The part that is offensive is that you believe that simply because you can pay all your bills, you are paying the real costs of all the aspects of society that you benefit from while shunning the systems that are in place that makes those aspects of society available to you. You can carry on all day pretending that what I object to is your paying your own way, but reality is, I object to the fact that you do not.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[FortLaudy 10]

No. Of course not. Where did I ever say that? Why is it necessary to go to an extreme to prove the ridiculous. Because I have no problem with paying my share to save someone's life that cannot afford it...does not mean I support paying for their daily vitamin, blood test, or regular doctor visit.

How is it conceit to pay for one's own medical bills? How does my doing so make anything worse for you? Or Madame Cleo? That contention is just ludicrous. That somehow writing a check for my surgery was "sponging off" others? I also pay my electric bill, gas bill, buy my own food, OMG is there no end to my audacity!!!!!!!!!!! When will I ever stop TAKING and give something back? Now that I have answered your very silly (and completely irrelevent) question...answer mine, please...

what is offensive about someone paying their own medical bills?

Or someone growing their own food, or generating their own electricity on-site for their household and electric car?

It's not popular to be self-sufficient I guess...

No, I did not, you are claiming it by virtue of your 'indepent operation in this world' which is bullshit.

You appear to understand that you benefit from economies of scale, but yet you appear oblivious of the fact that those economies of scale in areas of health treatment like the surgery you underwent were only possible because of the inefficient yet necessary health insurance schemes that you refuse to take part in and you refuse to beleive that your treatment has been subsidized by everyone who pays into the only health insurance schemes available. That this is the faulty system we have is one thing, but that without this faulty system things would be ever so much better for the average person (the perfectly responsible average citizen who pays his/her own way as best they can (not some loser on benefits) in terms of health care is laughable at best.

The part that is offensive is that you believe that simply because you can pay all your bills, you are paying the real costs of all the aspects of society that you benefit from while shunning the systems that are in place that makes those aspects of society available to you. You can carry on all day pretending that what I object to is your paying your own way, but reality is, I object to the fact that you do not.

He pays his taxes, so I don't get your point MC...

[Peikko 1,575]

It's excellent to be as self sufficient as is possible in the modern age, what is beyond contempt is to ignore the very real contribution society makes to your quality of life and ability to be in many ways free to enjoy the fruits of your own labours.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The American Heart Association has identified several factors that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some of these risk factors you can't control, such as increasing age, family health history, and race and gender. But you can modify, treat or control most risk factors to lower your risk.

What risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled by focusing on lifestyle habits and taking medicine, if needed?

Tobacco smoke — Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular heart disease among women. Women who smoke have an increased risk for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Constant exposure to others' tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) at work or at home also increases the risk, even for nonsmokers. Women smokers who use birth control pills have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than nonsmokers who use them.

High blood cholesterol — High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and also increases the risk of stroke. Studies show that women's cholesterol is higher than men's from age 55 on. High levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) raise the risk of heart disease and heart attack. High levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) lower the risk of heart disease. Research has shown that low levels of HDL cholesterol seem to be a stronger risk factor for women than for men.

High blood pressure — High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and the most important risk factor for stroke. Women have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they are obese, have a family history of high blood pressure, are pregnant, take certain types of birth control pills or have reached menopause. African-American women have higher average blood pressure levels compared to Caucasian women.

Physical inactivity — Various studies have shown that lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease and indirectly increases the risk of stroke. Overall, they found that heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. When you're inactive and eat too much, you can gain excess weight. In many people overweight can lead to high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends accumulating at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most or all days of the week.

Obesity and overweight — If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is located in your waist area — you're at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes mellitus — Adults with diabetes have have heart disease death rates that are two to four times those of adults without diabetes. People with diabetes often have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their risk even more.

What other factors contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke in women?

High triglyceride levels — Triglyceride is a common type of fat in the body. A high triglyceride level often goes with higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, lower levels of HDL and increased risk of diabetes. But scientists don't agree that it's a risk factor for heart disease by itself. Research suggests that having high triglycerides may increase the risk for women more than for men.

Excessive alcohol intake — The risk of heart disease in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one drink for women per day) is lower than in nondrinkers. However, it's not recommended that nondrinkers start using alcohol or increase the amount they drink. Excessive drinking and binge drinking can contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form.

Individual response to stress — Research hasn't yet defined the role stress plays in the development of heart disease. People respond differently to situations they find stressful. Unhealthy responses to stress may lead to other risk behaviors like smoking and overeating.

I had all that stuff, I am diabetic (pay for my own insulin) I smoked and my triglycerides were 1740 (!!!!) the day I had my heart attack. The study is correct as far as I can tell. I was not overweight and did not have high blood pressure.

There is no reason you should pay for my bad behavior, so I paid for it myself. Now I quit smoking which saves me enough money to pay for my choleterol medication and now my triglycerides are normal and my cholestoral (which they couldn't check because my triglycerides were too high) is normal.

They say I have another 25 years to torment Gene, Good investment, I would say, but much more expensive than a bullet. Oh well, education is expensive. Following the advice in this report could save you enough money to by a house cash, and if you follow the advice there is no reason you shouldn't benefit financially from the healthy lifestyle.

[FortLaudy 10]

It's excellent to be as self sufficient as is possible in the modern age, what is beyond contempt is to ignore the very real contribution society makes to your quality of life and ability to be in many ways free to enjoy the fruits of your own labours.

And for that we pay taxes - income and VAT, right?

[Peikko 1,575]

Or someone growing their own food, or generating their own electricity on-site for their household and electric car?

It's not popular to be self-sufficient I guess...

He pays his taxes, so I don't get your point MC...

Health care treatments are only availalbe at affordable prices for those who don't pay into health insurance schemes because of those health insurance schemes that he doesn't pay into. Those who pay for health insurance are in part paying for his care, whether he acknowledges that fact or not.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

No. Of course not. Where did I ever say that? Why is it necessary to go to an extreme to prove the ridiculous. Because I have no problem with paying my share to save someone's life that cannot afford it...does not mean I support paying for their daily vitamin, blood test, or regular doctor visit.

How is it conceit to pay for one's own medical bills? How does my doing so make anything worse for you? Or Madame Cleo? That contention is just ludicrous. That somehow writing a check for my surgery was "sponging off" others? I also pay my electric bill, gas bill, buy my own food, OMG is there no end to my audacity!!!!!!!!!!! When will I ever stop TAKING and give something back? Now that I have answered your very silly (and completely irrelevent) question...answer mine, please...

what is offensive about someone paying their own medical bills?

Well you aren't paying your bills are you, you're paying half of them (which is only possible because of subsidies paid for by others).

[Peikko 1,575]

And for that we pay taxes - income and VAT, right?

Taxes are only part of the payments we make to society. If we want to pretend that we could all pay real cost values for everything we need so that we don't need to feel obligated towards the society we benefit from being a part of, we can make these empty claims about being 'independent'.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[FortLaudy 10]

I had all that stuff, I am diabetic (pay for my own insulin) I smoked and my triglycerides were 1740 (!!!!) the day I had my heart attack. The study is correct as far as I can tell. I was not overweight and did not have high blood pressure.

There is no reason you should pay for my bad behavior, so I paid for it myself. Now I quit smoking which saves me enough money to pay for my choleterol medication and now my triglycerides are normal and my cholestoral (which they couldn't check because my triglycerides were too high) is normal.

They say I have another 25 years to torment Gene, Good investment, I would say, but much more expensive than a bullet. Oh well, education is expensive. Following the advice in this report could save you enough money to by a house cash, and if you follow the advice there is no reason you shouldn't benefit financially from the healthy lifestyle.

Thank G-d you realize this, I wish others would feel the same. I think with the general lack of understanding of nutrition in America today and the growing obesity pandemic, America is just not ready for a socialized health care system. People are just not educated enough or care enough to keep themselves out of harms way when it comes to their health, I for one do not want to foot the bill for this, where I'm from where people live healthier lives in general, definetely!

Health care treatments are only availalbe at affordable prices for those who don't pay into health insurance schemes because of those health insurance schemes that he doesn't pay into. Those who pay for health insurance are in part paying for his care, whether he acknowledges that fact or not.

I don't think so. A cash discount is a cash discount, it does not mean someone else had to come up with the other 50% of the cost.

[Peikko 1,575]

How many times YOU ARE ALREADY FOOTING THE BILL FOR IT, AND YOU ARE PAYING MORE FOR WORSE CARE THAN OTHER SOCIETIES THAT HAVE INTRODUCED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

Are people really this stupd?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

We can't have socialized healthcare because people in the US are not educated "enough".

Meanwhile, the rest of the developed world is healthier, lives longer and scratches their head as to why the United States would rather use the healthcare equivalent of a horse cart, rather than a modern car.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Gene Hunt

[Peikko 1,575]

Thank G-d you realize this, I wish others would feel the same. I think with the general lack of understanding of nutrition in America today and the growing obesity pandemic, America is just not ready for a socialized health care system. People are just not educated enough or care enough to keep themselves out of harms way when it comes to their health, I for one do not want to foot the bill for this, where I'm from where people live healthier lives in general, definetely!

I don't think so. A cash discount is a cash discount, it does not mean someone else had to come up with the other 50% of the cost.

How many heart doctors do you think would be available today for Gary to get his cash discount from if health insurance wasn't introduced? How much do you think such operations would actually cost today if for the past century or so only those who could have afforded to pay cash for them had had them?

We can't have socialized healthcare because people in the US are not educated "enough".

Meanwhile, the rest of the developed world is healthier, lives longer and scratches their head as to why the United States would rather use the healthcare equivalent of a horse cart, rather than a modern car.

It's laughable, except these selfish people are the reason why health care in the US isn't the best in the world for everyone without putting them into bancruptcy.

None of this takes away from the need for people in society to make responsible health choices if we want to help to control health costs - that much is obvious.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[FortLaudy 10]

How many times YOU ARE ALREADY FOOTING THE BILL FOR IT, AND YOU ARE PAYING MORE FOR WORSE CARE THAN OTHER SOCIETIES THAT HAVE INTRODUCED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

Are people really this stupd?

I like universal health care in general, in certain societies it works wonderfully and benefits all. Since living here though I am completely shocked to see how little Americans in general understand about nutrition and how to maintain their health in general. A lot more emphasis should go into educating people insteading of taxing everyone more to pay for stupidity, if someone wants to kill themselves and make themselves sick with their lifestyle then they should accept the cost of it, that's all I'm saying, penalise those who make stupid decisions that affect their health. If there's going to be universal healthcare the system should not be encouraging bad choices but penalising it.