
                   LIFESTYLE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE? 

                      Vernon B. Astler, 32 
                      4772 South Lake Drive 
                        Boynton Beach, FL 
                              33436 

LIFE EXPECTANCY has increased in the United States over the past 
several decades in spite of societal and personal forces we 
inflict upon ourselves. Despite this gain, death of course 
remains, and its causes can be divided into primary categories: 
(1) Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, (2) Neoplasms (i.e. 
benign and malignant tumors), (3) Other cases including violent 
and traumatic causes and infectious diseases. Let us consider 
some commonsense options to reduce mortality in the above areas.  

   (1) HEART AND BLOOD VESSEL DISEASES: Significant factors 
unfavorably affecting diseases of the heart and vessels include 
obesity, smoking, hypertension, improper diet, sedentary 
lifestyle, emotional tension, diabetes, and inherited 
(congenital) factors.  Only the last cannot be altered by 
individual efforts. 

   DIET:  Americans ingest too many calories, too much animal and 
other fat, too little fiber, too few fresh fruits and vegetables. 
In addition, we exercise too little. 

   Very simply, one should keep calories from fat (9 calories per 
gram) less than 25 percent of total calories ingested. 
Additionally, vegetable fats (unsaturated or monosaturated) 
should be substituted for animal fats (saturated). This means 
substitution of white meat of fish and poultry for red meats, 
avoidance of cholesterol-rich foods, i.e. dairy products, eggs, 
red meats, bacon, etc.  

   These changes lower intake of harmful fats which ultimately 
lead to cholesterol plaques within arteries. The narrowing and 
roughening of the inner lining (intima) of arteries leads to 
diminished flow and, ultimately, blocks caused by plaque and/or 
blood clots. This translates to clinical attacks related to the 
vessels involved, i.e., diminished or blocked coronary arteries 
create heart attacks, cerebral arteries cause strokes, renal 
arteries induce high blood pressure, lower extremity arteries 
result in severe cramping pain or gangrene, and pelvic or penal 
arteries can cause impotence. 

   One study of Japanese men living in Japan revealed only one-
tenth as many heart attacks as Japanese men of comparable age 
living in the United States. After moving to the west coast of 
the United States, these Japanese men assumed the cardiac and 
mortality profile of American men in about 10 years time. 
Lifestyle and dietary changes seem responsible. 

   TOBACCO:  In addition to poor diet, smoking has a definite 
effect on causing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. One-
pack-a-day smokers experience roughly a 3-fold increase in heart 
attacks and a 19-fold increase in lung cancer as compared to non-
smokers.  Additional increases in hypertension and cancers of the 
bladder, lip, tongue, and throat are all apparent in heavy 
smokers. 

   STRESS: Stress is a factor so common to America's lifestyle 
that we sometimes overlook its importance.  Incidentally, as 
women leave the home and enter the competitive workplace, they 
show increase in most stress-related illnesses. 

   OBESITY:  Many of us are literally digging our grave with our 
teeth.  People more than 10 percent over ideal weight show 
incremental increases in heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and 
other conditions or diseases as weight increases. 

   ALCOHOL:  While there is scanty evidence to indicate  that  
alcohol in  amounts  of  two or three ounces daily is harmful, 
alcohol remains a real danger for those drinking excessively on a 
regular or sporadic basis. Many such drinkers can expect a 
significant rise in the incidence of cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, 
diseases of the stomach, duodenum and esophagus, vehicular  and  
other accidents, pancreatitis, as well as psychological and 
social problems related to alcohol intake. 

   (2)  NEOPLASMS:  Leading cancer killers for women include 
breast, lung, colon, uterus and ovary. For men, lung, colon, 
prostate, and stomach are most common. Of the above leading 
causes, most are preventable or correctable by early detection 
and appropriate treatment. 

   The following studies seem mandatory: For women: Mammograms, 
pelvic exams with "Pap" smear, chest x-ray and stool examination 
for occult blood. For men: Chest x-ray, rectal and prostate exam, 
prostatic antigen blood test, and stool for occult blood. Other 
high-risk persons may require other studies such as colonoscopy, 
ultrasound, CAT scans, etc. 

   In summary, one might hope to do the following things in 
preventing correctable diseases: 

  (1) Stop smoking. 

  (2) Keep within 10 percent of ideal weight. 
  (3) Exercise regularly (for example, a brisk walk of 20 minutes 
      6 times a week.) 

  (4) Keep fats less than 25 percent of total calories in the 
      diet and severely restrict saturated fats and cholesterol-
      rich foods. 

  (5) Reduce stress at the workplace and home.  

  (6) Get adequate rest.  

  (7) Eat a diet high in fiber, fruit, and vegetables. 

  (8) Consider one aspirin daily if approved by your doctor.  

  (9) Have a stress test at age 40 and afterwards as recommended 
      by your doctor.  

 (10) Have annual checkups and question your physician regarding 
      the advisability of a Thallium stress test, chemistry and 
      lipid profile, CBC and urinalysis, stool examination for 
      occult blood, colo-rectal exam, and prostatic specific 
      antigen blood test for men over 50.  

 (11) A screening mammogram for women over 40.  

 (12) A pelvic examination and "Pap" smear for women. 

   Lastly, the "don'ts" certainly include:  Don't smoke; Don't 
drink excessively; Don't drink and drive; and Don't become 
overweight.  With these factors in mind, Americans can hopefully 
extend their life expectancy many more years and avoid many of 
these illnesses. 
 _____ 


Vernon B. Astler is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery 
and specializes in vascular surgery. Raised a Master Mason in 
Wyoming Lodge No. 186, Wyoming, Ohio, Brother Astler is a member 
of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Lake Worth, Florida. 

