Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
It happens all too frequently and I've known a few myself.
Many people *think* they're in good health because they're physically strong and/or don't get sick very often and because of that, they ignore the need to have annual physicals to check their blood pressure, heart, internal organs, etc.
For whatever reason, there's a real stigma in this country seeing a doctor. It's like some kind of "Badge of Honor" to say "I haven't been to a doctor in 10 years and I feel great!".
I have friends who do this-- and we've talked about it over beers. In their case it's fear, really. They'd rather ignore a potential issue than face their own mortality. Yes-- they're choosing to possibly die prematurely in lieu of dealing with a heart problem, cancer, being obese, etc. instead of attacking the issue. Getting angry or shaming them doesn't work.
Coincidentally, I had dinner with one of those people last night; he's 51 years old, ate sausage biscuits and pancakes for breakfast, burritos and beers for lunch and had been steadily drinking tequila since 4 p.m. He laughs and says he'll be dead in five years; I told him we'll make sure his 18 year old son is lead pall bearer.
He doesn't want to face the music about his health. [Reply]
While I'm not POOR at the moment... I can say that I definitely do no to got the doctor unless something is falling off because doc visits are so expensive. I need to get to one soon though as my shoulder is about ready to qualify as "something falling off". [Reply]
^^^This
One of the reasons I visit my cardiologist once a year.
On my father's side of the family: Grandfather, father, two uncles died from heart attacks
I do cardio all the time and try to eat a relatively healthy diet, but it still scares the bejeebers out of me. [Reply]
