The real medicineSource: Newsweek (adapted)Oct 17th 2005
People who survive a heart attack often describe it as a
wake-up call. But for a 61-year old executive I met recently, it was
more than that. This man was in the midst of a divorce when he was
stricken last spring, and he had fallen out of touch with friends and
family members. The executive's doctor, unaware of the strife in his
life, counseled him to change his diet, start exercising and quit
smoking. He also prescribed drugs to lower cholesterol and blood
pressure. It was sound advice, but in combing the medical literature,
the patient discovered that he needed to do more. Studies suggested that
his risk of dying within six months would be four times greater if he
remained depressed and lonely. So he joined a support group and
reordered his priorities, placing relationships at the top of the list
instead of the bottom. His health has improved steadily since then, and
so has his outlook on life. In fact he now describes his heart attack as
the best thing that ever happened to him. "Yes, my arteries are more
open," he says. "But even more important, I'm more open."The advice given by the doctor is defined as sound. In other words, it
a) might be effective.
b) is reliable and effective.
c) is questionable.
d) should be looked into.
e) must be deeply researched.