Chronic Disease - Essay Example

Heart disease is a problem that affects millions of people every year. The majority of those affected by heart disease are at an advanced age, but that doesn’t mean that it cannot affect someone who is young. There are a number of risk factors for the onset of heart disease (“Prevention: What You Can Do”):

• Eating an unhealthy diet
• Being overweight
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

All of these causes can be overcome through determination and hard work. First of all, stop eating foods high in fat and cholesterol and try a healthier diet. As a consequence, this leads to the problem of being overweight. Once someone’s diet improves then body weight will naturally decrease. An extension of this is an increase in physical activity because extra energy will be used up thus reducing body weight. Finally, smoking and alcohol are some of the major causes of heart disease. These things need to be consumed in smaller amounts so it does not affect the heart.

The previous recommendations for combating heart disease were general without giving too many concrete suggestions. Because those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes are most at risk for heart disease, it is advised that these problems are addressed. First of all, a simple blood test can be taken to check your cholesterol levels. In order to make sure that nothing is missed, cholesterol levels should be checked once every five years. Next, blood pressure needs to be checked regularly because high blood pressure does not show any symptoms. If you are a diabetic then blood sugar levels must be controlled. This is best done by talking with a healthcare provider so he or she can advise the best treatment. Finally, if medication has been prescribed for any of the above-mentioned conditions, then it is really important to always to medication properly (“Prevention: What You Can Do”).

In terms of the distribution of heart disease, it was always thought that those who are wealthy suffer from heart disease more than any other social group. However, research conducted by Marmot et al. (1978, 1109) shows that in fact working-class men and women are more likely to be susceptible to heart disease. This is because these types of people generally perform more hard labor than the wealthy. As expected, heart disease is more common in men than in women for this very reason alone.

To help prevent heart disease, the American Heart Association has implemented initiatives to encounter the problem. An example of this is their Start! Walking Program, which encourages businesses to allow their employees regular time during the working day to talk a break and go on a walk (“Start! Walking Program”). The American Heart Association allows interested employees to forward a letter to their respective HR managers. The Association then works in conjunction with an organization to provide the best program for a workplace. To help make participation easier, Start! Worksite Wellness Walking Program resource materials are provided so little effort is required on the part of the organization.