What is “heart health?” The opposite of heart disease?
Most of the articles one sees constantly in all of the magazines and newspapers on a regular basis write about “heart disease,” and the fact that it is the No. 1 killer of women — not only in the United States — but world-wide.
“Killer” is such a scary word! I don’t like it!
Some people feel that the only way you can get people’s attention; get them to do something to change their lifestyle, is to scare them.
Based on my over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist who specialized in working with people who were coping with chronic illnesses, I don’t agree. I think there are other and better ways to accomplish this.
If someone knows their risk factors and the results they themselves can accomplish, I believe they can – and will – make the necessary changes. And they will make those changes, not out of fear, but out of an opportunity to improve their health. The goal is a positive one – to be heart healthy! They are not avoiding death or being motivated out of fear. They know they can realistically attain a state of “heart health.” Even when they have a high cholesterol or high blood pressure count, even without medication, they can reduce the risk factors. Heart disease is preventable and, even reversible.
This is extraordinary and positive.
Rather than being “scared” of heart disease, one can confront it positively! This is incredible!
From the Heart 