There is a lingering controversy about the chicken and the egg. The question is, which takes precedence over the other? Which is more significant? The world has not resolved that puzzle. When we say the egg, the other question becomes, what gave rise to the egg, and vice versa. Life indeed, is a mystery.
The human heart, the brain, the liver, the kidneys and the lungs seem to fall into the above bracket. The question is which is the most essential. Without any of them, there will ultimately be no life. The consequence of not having any of them may be more instantly felt but the ultimate reality is that life cannot be sustained without any of the five organs.
The mystery behind the heart and life itself
Life begins as a unicellular cell (The Zygote), with the coming together into homogeneous unification of the male sperm cell and the female egg cell. Progressively, this cell continuously and consistently subdivides and multiplies and differentiates into the multi-cellular stage, (The embryo). Initially, no part of the dividing tissue has form or shape or activity.
But suddenly, just suddenly, a part of the inactive structure of less than one-centimetre size embryo begins to vibrate at about 4 – 5 weeks of conception. This vibrating site is what will eventually become the human heart. It starts beating as early as 4 – 5 weeks of life and continues uninterruptedly until the birth of the baby and for as long as the man lives on earth. This activity is the earliest indicator of life in the developing embryo and the evidence of life in later time.
The heart is so significant to life that if it stops for just 6 minutes, biological death occurs. Clinical death occurs immediately the heart stops pumping blood.
If the heart stops, clinical death occurs but if Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is commenced within 6 minutes, the heart can be revived to start pumping again and brain death prevented. Clinical death is reversible, brain death is not.
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide. On average, more than 17 million people die from heart related illnesses every year. This is more than that of people who die from HIV, malaria and cancer put together. Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases especially, when poorly managed. It is usually referred to as the silent killer. It is so referred because, often times, even at dangerously high, life threatening levels, it may not reveal signs and symptoms. In the absence of signs and symptoms, patients with hypertension are unlikely to be diagnosed early and those diagnosed may not be committed to their treatment, being that they perceive no threat to their lives. Either way, it raises the chances of both mortality and morbidity. Hypertension typically develops over many years and affects nearly every organ eventually.
Fortunately, it can easily be detected and once you know you have high blood pressure you can work with your doctor to control it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the challenge, not the high blood pressure. It increases the risk of serious health problems such as stroke and heart attacks.
How can we maintain good heart health?
Our lifestyle defines who we are. The food we eat today is the medicine or disease of tomorrow. Right eating is about eating the proper food at the proper time and in the proper quantity. This way, food is medicine; otherwise, it is the disease of tomorrow. Most of man’s diseases are due to wrong eating.
For above 40s, take less carbohydrates, more greens in vegetables and fruits. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Avoid soft drinks or bear after a meal.
Moderate or no alcohol is advised, Low salt diets, and no tobacco. One of the greatest challenges of healthy living is sedentary life. Active, frequent and regular moderate aerobic exercise is a great life tonic that adds value to every quality of life.
The stress level in the air is massive and emotional stability is key. We must learn to be slow to anger and quick to quit. We must learn to let go and to forgive.
Find a strand of happiness in all things. We must learn to work, then, rest to work and understand that the best form of rest is sleep. Believe in God and trust His word.
Every beat of the heart is evidence of life and every such beat rejuvenates health. Our lives depend on our hearts. Let us protect our hearts to protect our lives. Know that whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you relaxed, whatever gives you a sense of goodness makes the heart healthy and makes our lives beautiful.
Iyke Odo
Dr.Odo is the Medical Director at Meridian Hospital Port-Harcourt. This isan Extract from his article published in Afristructure Magazine – A GambetaNews.com Publication
