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67
Heart Disease
Although the organism capable of producing tuberculosis has
existed since time immemorial, it required environmental conditions
of the 19th century for it to exhibit its devastating effects and
thereby give rise to the major health problem of that century.
Today, in highly industrialised nations, we are witnessing a
similar phenomenon with regard to heart disease. Growing national
affluence leads to greater dietary use of animal and dairy products,
factors considered the most important of all those responsible for
the epidemic disease of mature and advanced societies, viz.,
coronary heart disease.
Paradoxically, deliberate encouragement is given, especially to
our children and young adults, to raise the intake of "protective"
foods such as butter, cream, cheese, eggs and meat, etc., and,
furthermore, this is precisely the regimen advocated for people of
underdeveloped countries who, by and large, are free from such
circulatory disabilities.
Clearly our views on what constitutes ideal nutritional standards
need revision for all the accumulated evidence shows that habitual
diets high in saturated fats, cholesterol and calories are a primary
cause of premature heart disease. We need to know at which point
the rich or "protective" diets become harmful.
In precipitating coronary troubles rich diets are closely related
to the smoking and sedentary habits born of affluence and over-use
of the motor car, particularly in middle-aged men. In these circumstances
obesity, with its accompanying high blood pressure and
serum uric acid levels and tendency to diabetes, is almost a foregone
conclusion. Happily it has been demonstrated that dietary modifications,
even after years of atherogenic meals, will reduce serum
cholesterol and triglycerides and so lessen the risk of coronary
episodes.
Although committed to a policy of prevention we would be
foolish to assume that affluence achieved in a highly technological
world could be halted. On the contrary, we will be constrained to
seek for means of protecting our community against the inherent
health hazards of an increasingly opulent society which may be
summarised thus: —
1. Too much eating, drinking and smoking—often resulting
from the social wooing of business clients.
2. Too much automation—reduced physical activity arising from
over-use of cars and lifts.
3. Too much worrying—mainly as a result of business stress.