What is the ‘Deadly Quartet?’

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GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  In today's fast-paced world, unless a problem has an immediate impact, it tends to get pushed to the side.

This can often extend to health issues that might seem inconsequential in the here and now, but are best not ignored.

In a recent news release, TriWest Healthcare Alliance identified four of these chronic conditions, dubbed the Deadly Quartet:

High Blood Pressure: Also known as hypertension. If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause a stroke or heart disease. Strokes may lead to many other problems, including paralysis. Heart disease is also the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. High blood pressure often has no symptoms and should be checked yearly at your routine doctor visits.

High Cholesterol: This condition, which may not trigger symptoms right away, increases "plaque" buildup in the arteries, especially in the heart. This buildup can cause a heart attack; it's also a major risk factor for heart disease. Cholesterol numbers can be measured through a simple blood test.

Obesity: A combination of unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise, obesity will strain the heart, joints and bones, and can cause other diseases common in adults, such as diabetes. Obesity has become very widespread in children, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity now affects 17 percent of all U.S. kids and teenagers. In addition, childhood obesity often carries into adulthood, causing high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea and low self-esteem, among other problems.

Diabetes: A major result of obesity. Diabetes is a disorder that causes the body to produce an inadequate amount of insulin. It can affect the heart and blood vessels, causing a decrease in blood flow and eventually the loss of a lower extremity, even eyesight.

There is good news: some simple lifestyle changes could help prevent--and even reverse--any of these conditions. Some changes to consider:
  • Eating more fruits and vegetables
  • Consuming smaller portions (a single serving of meat is about the size of your palm, for example)
  • Eating more lean meats, such as chicken and fish
  • Increasing regular physical activity (even just 30 minutes of walking a day, about four or five days per week, can make a huge difference)
For more tips on living a healthy life, visit TriWest.com/HealthyLiving.

Courtesy of the 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office.