Gotta love these pompous, self-aggrandizing Monday morning quarterbacks. If 'the list goes on', odds are you'll find SOMETHING you're looking for. Regardless, you have a 50/50 chance of being right, and as soon as something appears that happens to make you look like you knew what you were talking about, bingo...'I told you so'.

I had a stroke at the age of 39. It was from high blood pressure, which I never knew I had. I was lucky, and made a complete recovery. I'm now 59, and have been on an ever changing cocktail of blood pressure pills for twenty years. They've kept me healthy and alive.

I'll continue listening to my doctors, taking my medicine and living. Don't listen to yours, don't take your medicine and just die. Nobody will really give a damn, least of all the ones you've said 'I told you so' to.

Okay, well have fun letting your arteries clog and burst.

You are correct JobSeeker. There is certainly a place for the MD, but many alternatives exist and there are cures out there for cancer. Lifestyle changes are your best bet. People in the USA want to sit on the couch and get skinny, have elective surgery and pop pills. Every thing now is a syndrome, disease or the result of global warming....who knows pick your poison.

What bothers me is most people blindly follow what ever the government and medical professionals tell us...and they are the ones allowing steroids in meat and chicken, hybrid foods to be sold, loading foods up with toxins and chemicals, etc...

Does anyone really think our food sources and lack of exercise are not a huge part of the problem? Synthetic drugs are only good for some things and the potential side-effects can be more deadly and painful than the heart attack!

Before you smart a$$es comment: I just spent the past 5 years taking care of my father with (heart disease)and the aid of Hospice. Many of the medications were nixed, by me...as they made him sicker than he was and little to no oversight was administered. We routinely used acupuncture and natural remedies, that in fact did work, with zero side effects. How do I know that? The lab worked did not lie nor did his ease in breathing! The drug companies are Billionaires....thanks mostly to Americans.

read the information on pharmaceuticals.......half the time, the side effects are worse than the disease, plus, then you're supposed to take this OTHER drug to minimize the side effects.....and the pharma companies are still fighting tooth and nail to keep marijuana illegal...cause they can't figure a way to corner the market on it, and you can actually grow your own medicine if you choose to. IMHO, most doctors nowadays are whoring themselves out to pharma companies by pushing their products in exchange for money, golf trips, etc.......yet if you ask em for a recommendation for marijuana they are insulted that you even asked them....I've came to the conclusion that they don't really give a @!$%# about their patients, just how much money they can squeeze out of them

Steve-1003320; you sound like a real meathead! You should always check the facts of any drug, Doctors are human and yes do make mistakes!!!!

Soooo, everyone out there who has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver cysts or tumors, breast cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, peripheral artery disease, bi-polar, schizophrenia, panic disorders, malfunctioning thyroids, gallbladder problems, toenail fungus, migraines, (my fingers are getting tired, btw) esophageal or stomach cancer, melanoma, alopecia, vitaligo, birthed a child with defects of various types, etc. IS TO BLAME FOR THEIR OWN ILLNESS?

I don't disagree that we as Americans are fed and force fed some very bad stuff, and that goes for the crap shooting forth from the boob-tube and radio as well. But to blame the victims of these diseases as if they ASKED to suffer from these maladies by virtue of their behaviors, is categorically absurd, at least on a broad-scale basis.

I know people who have eaten healthy foods, abstained from alcohol & tobacco & too much sun, watched their weight and exercised, and STILL ended up with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. I know people who never smoked a day in their LIVES who STILL got lung cancer. I know of people who lived nearly pristine lives who dropped dead of an aneurysm. I know of people who practiced safe sun control and STILL died of melanoma. I know of people who are diabetic because they got PREGNANT. I know of people with liver disease who NEVER drank a sip of alcohol in their entire lives. I know of people with degenerative bone disease who were the poster girls/boys for healthy living. I know people who worked out DAILY and still dropped dead of strokes or heart attacks. What, pray tell, is Lance Armstrong doing so WRONG that he has a recurring cancer that just won't go away? Oh, and go ahead and exhume the body of Jim Fixx, the avid runner, who died of a heart attack and ask him how HE is to blame for his genetic predisposition to clogged arteries and high cholesterol while you're at it. I'd like to know why George Burns lived to be 100 years old while smoking filthy, stinky cigars and regularly imbibing in the liquid spirits too!

There are SOME things that are beyond our control. YOU are going to die one day no matter WHAT you do to avoid it. There's only so much "prevention" that one can practice in their day to day lives after which it becomes a crap shoot. We're not "sheepies" or "sitting on couches. . . skinny. . .popping pills", thank you very much! We're not to BLAME, or at least those who TRIED to live a healthy life, for environmental contributors and genetic dispositions are doling out to us, and to YOU, for that matter.

If you don't want to expose yourself to pollutants, antagonists and carcinogens, then I suggest you stop breathing! That is the ONLY way anyone can ensure that they aren't adversely affected by environmental factors that will eventually kill them. But then again, you're gonna die if'n you ain't BREATHING, so take your pick!

I'm very sorry for anyone who has lost a loved on or friend to cancer or any other killer disease. However, it is unfair to "ASSume" that any one person knows all there is to know about everything that may have a bad effect on the human body and how to avoid it. It is also unfair to blame everyone else for NOT knowing it. Besides, who can afford to seek out such lofty and nearly unattainable medical advise to begin with? If you can't afford to buy groceries, I'm not sure buying the book on "How to Live Forever" is at the top of your list either. Oh, and for the record, unless a food source is grown someone other than on this particular planet, the dirt, water, creepy crawlers and air it grows in is contaminated.

You're going to die one day because you are mortal. Accept that fact. Live the life you want to live. Hopefully, it will be one of good health and measures to assure you enjoy a long, prosperous, spiritually connected, philanthropic and joyous existence. As for me, I'll be drinking tap water, enjoying a cocktail or three in the early evening, spending too much time on the Internet, smoking a cigarette from time to time, eating large quantities of a certain brand of ice cream I can't do without, sleeping too much, not working out as much as I should, experiencing shifting moods and emotions like happiness and sadness and working through it, staying up late and waking up late, using my favorite perfume and skin products, eating whatever I want, not worrying about my weight by the grace of great genes, and generally walking about ENJOYING what there is of the life I have left.

I'll leave the JUDGING and FINGER-POINTING to you, Chris and JobSeeker. Oh, and I'm very sorry for your loss, Chris. I honestly feel your pain and can relate. My grandfather died a little while back from esophageal cancer & emphysema. He made the mistake of being born in the early 1900s and laboring in a saw mill without proper ventilation, which just wasn't available way back when. HE WAS 93!!!

Regardless of your opinion the simple fact is, nature has a plan.

Our relentless struggle with health and the desire for immortality is what creates these scenarios. We live in an unhealthy society and world. The statistics show our lifestyles and heredity are the major determining factors regarding our health. There's not much you can do about your heritage, but there is quite a bit you can do about lifestyle.

Over 60% of Americans are obese or overweight. Less than 25 percent eat well. Less than 30% are active or exercise regularly. Our society has created a very diverse health climate yet most American's are unhealthy. Restaurants dominate our lives from fast food to gourmet food. The ever increasing sedentary lifestyle we lead is very unhealthy yet few do much to promote it. We drive 3 blocks to the store instead of walk. We drive around parking lots endlessly to find the closest parking spot. And the testimonials can go on.

So, what do most Americans do? Do they change their lifestyle when they're told they have High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol or are overweight? Of course not. Oh we say we do, but it doesn't help. So we take our pills. Instead of walking, jogging or exercising, eating well and not smoking or drinking alcohol, we take pills.

Now when we take the pills, which in the majority of cases are foreign substances we are putting in our systems, and they cause other problems from what they're intended we scratch our heads and ask,,,,why? Even natural or herbals can be bad for you. In our endless pursuit of "health" unfortunately most don't know what it takes to be healthy.

Pills, fad diets, home exercise gizmos, lifetime health club memberships that rarely get used and we wonder why our bodies react with other illnesses. Diet pills, BP pills, cholesterol pills, erectile dysfunction pills, birth control pills, headache pills, pain pills and on and on, and we wonder why other things happen. The human body has a genetic blueprint that determines our health and can be either helped or hurt with lifestyle. Yes, there are many cases that pills help but most of the time people know they're just looking for the easy way out.

So when we cheat our bodies health and the response is more disease why are we surprised?

Statistically, you are likely right. However, there are always exceptions to every rule. My husband played sports all through high school and college. He eats healthy foods and works out daily, unlike me, I'm ashamed to say.

He has dangerous high blood pressure. He consulted with a nutritionist and tightened his belt even moreso to do everything he could to fight off this insideous disease. He was told to take BP medications, but deferred to the advice of his nutritionist BEFORE taking that route. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, reduced his blood pressure. He eventually had to start taking a BP medication, although he gave holistic healing a mighty fighting chance to work for him.

His father died of a stroke. His oldest sister just died of a stroke. APPARENTLY, it's in their gene pool. He will struggle and fight this disease for the rest of his life and it ain't because he asked for it or sat on his gear! It's hereditary, unfortunately, and there ain't nothing we can do about the gene pool now, right?

I'll keep him around as long as possible, and if that means taking a statin drug, so be it. If he gets cancer, well. . . we're willing to take that 1% chance that he will against the 99% chance that he won't.

This article was WOEFULLY inadequate and sparse on details, for the record. Now everyone is "worried" about schtuff. Don't worry, be happy! WORRY WILL KILL YA! It's true and it's in The Bible!!!

I agree with most of you, but dare say many of these drugs are dangerous.

People need to be informed and vigilant with any of these drugs. There are always exceptions to every rule; however, far too many doctors pass out pills and follow protocols (do not think out of the box) instead of looking at every patients personal situation and how the medications can better the situation or exaggerate the symptoms. 1% possibility of cancer, good odds, take it, but significant decline...back off and look for alternatives, your quality of life may depend on it!

To TOMMYS and his ignorant 'meathead' comment, who feels the need to jump in with insults when he doesn't know what he's talking about.

My wife is high up in the medical field (Supervisor in one of the largest, most respected hospitals in our state for 26 years.) I don't get the same generic information that you get. Doctors won't tell people like you the truth because you'll run out and sue them the first slip of the tongue they make. To tell you the absolute truth, they won't even be entirely candid with ME even though they know me. They go through my wife, and she explains my options to me, and which of those the doctors really suggest.

Case in point. 10 years ago, I had a severe injury that hospitalized me for three weeks. I had 7 doctors treating me at one time or another. (My primary and six consultants.) One was a surgeon who was trying to convince me to have an operation as a guaranteed 'instant fix'. My primary was against that idea, wanting me to let time and his medicines run their course. But none of the doctors would badmouth the surgeon in front of me. Like most people, I was willing to go with the 'instant fix' rather than the medicine which might or might not do the job, it was wait and see. My wife privately went to one of the hospital's preeminent doctors not involved with me. He told her that he and many other doctors considered that this surgeon took way too many risks with her patients, and it may just be a matter of time before her (and her patient's) luck runs out. My wife told him I was hell-bent on going for it, and didn't care about risk. She asked him point blank, if it was his spouse, what would he recommend? He said, stick with the medicine. Reluctantly, I followed his private advice, and the medicine and nature did its job. About 5 years later, the surgeon killed a similar patient with the same operation, was sued, had her medical license revoked for advising unnecessary risky procedures, and now teaches anatomy courses in a medical college.

Not going for 'wow, that could've been me' here, just a long winded explanation that I don't rely on the same information that YOU rely on, because doctors consider YOU a 'meathead' and feed people like YOU pablum that they think you can handle. The other doctors would not officially tell me to avoid the surgeon because had I gone through with the operation and it was a success, I'd blame them all for bad advice. If the medicine hadn't worked, ditto! They disagreed, and somebody was going to fail. That's why they don't/won't chance a definitive yes or no in front of us 'meatheads', they give us some risk percentages and tell us to do what we decide. I don't believe everything I hear, because I'm smart enough (in a lucky position actually) to know that I wouldn't hear the whole truth if it wasn't for my wife. I want to hear what THEY would do if it was their loved ones facing a decision like that. That's what makes me sure that YOU DON'T know what that would be. Of course I know what I'm taking. I've had my doctor remove several of my medicines over the years on the advice my wife has gotten at work.

Many theories state that we see more cancer cases today than years ago because we are living longer due to medical advances.

Exactly.

Most cancers happen to people over age 55.

Back in the year 1900, life expectancy in the U.S. was around 50. Not surprisingly, cancer was not a common cause of death, at least compared to pneumonia, flu epidemics, or accidents.

With the advent of childhood vaccines, far more people lived to adulthood.

On top of that came cigarette smoking, which soared after WWI. Sure enough, by the mid- 20th century, lung cancer cases skyrocketed.

Today, the rates of some cancers have decreased in the U.S. (stomach, liver, cervical) while others have increased or held steady (lung, pancreas, colon, brain, leukemia).

I agree. The cancer gene has to be there genetically first, then turned on by some mechanism. Sometimes a drug but can be many other genetic or environmental factors. Look at diabetes. The gene is there, usually turned on by a combination of age, diet and inactivity. In the case of Micardis I would hypothesize the gene is there for cancer, has been triggered by ?SOMETHING and grows faster with Micardis because of increased blood flow. Perhaps picking up the cancer earlier and therefore being able to treat earlier with improved outcome?

Waiting on reading the actual study before making any real judgements.

People seem to routinely confuse lifespan with life expectancy. Lifespan is how long a person, independent of outside factors, would "normally" live. 3,000 years ago the Bible recorded "the span of man's years is three score and ten" (70 years.) And lifespan has not really risen significantly since then. And most of the modest increase in lifespan has come about from better food storage and distribution rather than medicine.

Life expectancy is how long you can expect to live and depends on a lot of factors, the most important being how old you are now and your gender. As you grow older (up to the limit of lifespan) your life expectancy goes up. This is because you have outlived such things as infant mortality and childhood diseases and adolescent and pre-adult accidents. If you look objectively at life expectancy, it has gone up only slightly and reduction in infant mortality and accidents have been more significant in making this happen than any other factors.

If you are looking at natal life expectancy (life expectancy at birth), it has gone up more dramatically, but mostly because of improved infant mortality. By concentrating on two simple areas, infant mortality and accident prevention (both industrial and personal) we could easily add ten years to natal life expectancy, but little is being done in either area. Right now this country is in the 30's in ranking for accidental deaths and in the 50's for infant mortality and 37th in overall medical outcomes. Medical malpractice is the fifth leading cause of death in this country and is not even in the top ten in any other country in the world.

Life expectancy is something we can work on. There is a lot that can be done, but it is apparent that life expectancy is going to hold steady or drop in the future because of environmental considerations, obesity and lifestyle choices. Life span has probably topped out.

Another issue is that life expectancy is an average of large numbers of people. But there is never an "average" person. Every person is unique and attempts to generalize at this level are nonsensical to an individual. For individuals, there are forces of entropy at work that will always win. For example, chemotherapy is a leading CAUSE of cancer. Antibiotics are the cause of ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT strains of bacteria. And superior food storage and distribution has led to an epidemic of obesity in developed countries. There are countervailing forces that keep life fragile.

disco!

BJK-- Exactly. This is a newly found problem, that has been shown by a single study. Unfortunately this seems to be the ongoing trend in "health reporting." When a study comes out, no matter how narrow the focus, a headline blares "cancer!!!" in big letters, when not even the researchers know why, how, or when it causes cancer. Thing is, if you weren't on the medication for high blood pressure, would you be alive to get the cancer? Or would you have died years earlier from a stroke, heart attack or burst aneurism? Nobody can say for sure, but heart disease deaths are down over the last decade, and in a big way. I'm not saying this medication alone is the reason, but aggressive care along with medications seem to be having an effect.

The unfortunate thing is the information outlets that most people are likely to read are more interested in how upset they can make people feel, and paint a character in their narrative as a bad guy then to actually let people have necessary information, and allow them to think about something logically. Emotion gets more readers than logic.

BJK,

Those things may be missing from the article, but are not missing from the study. Other contributing factors must be accounted for in the study design. There are statistical methods of controlling for all these things (and most involve using data from populations that are not using the primary subject, in this case, Micardis, but are otherwise entirely similar.) The NIH grant funding system is very strong in assessing how these outside factors will be accounted for methodologically before funds are even granted to collect pilot data to see if a study is warranted. It is a very complex peer-reviewed issue.

At first, 1% does not seem like much of an individual increase in risk, but I had asked my pharmacist when I started taking Micardis how many prescriptions that CVS store filled --- he said about 200 a week. (I asked this because Micardis has a short shelf life and an extreme susceptibility to degradation is storage conditions are not right.) That would be a little over 800 patients on Micardis at that one store. That would mean that 8 of them would develop lung cancer that would not have if they were not taking that drug. Plus another 3 with other hard-tumor cancers. 11 is a lot of people.

That has to be balanced by the reduction in stroke and heart attack attributable to taking Micardis. I am 66 and my father died at 37 from a heart attack. I have congenitally low HDL (which is probably what killed my father.) So I am a high heart attack/stroke risk. So I take my meds and I have to trust that there are people constantly looking to see if the risk and benefit ratios are in line.

I get to see the study process up very closely. My wife is a PhD psychologist, a full tenured professor and center director at a Tier 1 university. She sits on peer review groups for NIH that review grant proposals. (She's leaving to attend one tomorrow.) Study design is what the peer review process is all about. Every 't' must be crossed and every 'i' dotted to insure that data and methodology are workable BEFORE and funds are granted. (BTW --- she gets a whole $100 honorarium for around 6-7 days work --- it is done as a public service.)

Being alive is one of the major risk factors for cancer. Cells just can't seem to get it right for very long.

I remember when coffee was the culprit. Now 6cups a day supposedly prevents against liver cancer and European women who have coffee at lunch have less diabetes. Go figure and lightly filter it all.

Really, Einstein? Did you know that safety is the #1 thing that drug researchers focus on? Why don't you try making a drug that works and is safe? Heck, let's see you make one that even works. Bet you wouldn't know where to begin!

Hampster,

When I see comments like yours, I can only imagine that the writers are projecting their own values onto others.

Are you willing to kill for money?

Seems that television advertising proves a point with all the new drugs being advertised for diseases no one ever heard of prior to the drug company advertisement! Wonder how people ever surrvied all these maladys before the drug companies took over American medicine? Wonder also how much money the American drug companies send to congress through K Street?

hampster,

The TV advertising is a necessary evil for the drug companies. The basic problem in the drug business is that it costs nearly a billion dollars to develop a new drug and have it approved for sale. That money has to come from somewhere. The drug companies have to sell a lot of the drug in a hurry to recoup their investment before the generic drug makers (who don't have the huge development costs) take the profit out of manufacturing.

Wonder also how much money the American drug companies send to congress through K Street?

The drug companies are just like every other major industry. They have to buy protection from the government. If they didn't hire lobbyists, they'd be run out of business by those who did. There's a continuing struggle between the developers and the generic manufacturers over the length of drug patents. Billions of dollars are at stake and our congressmen play them for campaign contribution.

Wonder how people ever surrvied all these maladys before the drug companies took over American medicine?

That's an easy one. They didn't. They were just sick or died.

yeahright,

Drug companies are interested in profits only. The FDA in interested in safety only. (They are forbidden by law to deal with efficacy or comparative safety or efficacy.) As a result, somewhere around 30% of all drugs approved do not perform better than a placebo. So around 12% of the pills being prescribed by physicians are the equivalent of sugar pills with side effects.

alma jean slocumb:

I've known personally 6 people who have taken hormone therapy....they are all dead! Every one of them developed dementia or Alzheimer's. My aunt worked out every day, swam, lifted weights, etc... didn't smoke, drink, nothing...she died after 9 years of suffering from Alzheimer's, and subsequently died in a nursing home....the suspect; hormone therapy! Please be careful with that stuff...the medical community is in denial about those drugs!

alma jean, new HRT is only prescribed for a 2 year period max. It was suggested by my PCP that I start taking hormones because I am (ahem) apparently going through a change (ahem).

I told the doc that I would not go into that dark night no matter what the cost. He turned to me and said: "You know, there's a reason men leave women when they get to be about your age. I suggest you take the hormones and save your marriage." Oh no he didn't!

I stood up, looked him dead in the eye, took the script from his hand, crumpled it into a paper ball, made a 3 point shot into the round file at the buzzer, and got the JELLO outta that office. I told him he was dangerously close to seeing a peri-menopausal woman going all postal on him. If only for one brief moment, I do believe he saw the Devil in me!

I came home and told my husband what had happened. He hugged me and said: "Well, that's one arrogant doctor's opinion. He must not know 'bout you and your inner strength!

I LOVE that man, and I'm certain that loving ME isn't all that easy right now. On the other hand, I'm not on HRT, and never will be. I don't want a side of burns with my ONE chin hair, thank you very much!!!

Bernie,

If bitemore feels OK, then his blood pressure is a blessing, not a problem.

Well, so do I, Bernie. My body temperature runs about degree or more low, and my blood pressure is typically 90/60, or slightly higher if I'm under stress @ 100/70 or so. My pulse rate is NEVER above 50-60 bpm, and at last count my cholesterol was 107. I'm 50 years old, 5'3" tall and weight 117 lbs.

Know what my doctor told me? "Well, you're never going to die of a heart attack, that's for sure!" Guess all that working out before my knees gave out from the work outs did my heart and arteries some good, huh?

Now, if I could only do something about this pesky allergy to legumes and nuts of any kind, I'd be GRRRRREAT!

asknreceive,

It helps to pick your parents well, too. :-)

True that, Economan! Unfortunately, there are other "things" in our gene pool that aren't good, shall we say. Nobody's perfect, that's for sure. Neither our our genes, apparently. Gee, wonder what I'll ending up dying from? HMMM. . .should I worry about that right about now? Uh, NO!

8-)

#9: bitemore: you have a problem if your blood pressure is 107/63

Actually, for me, normal is around 120/70. I'm taking Lasix at the moment because I have congestive heart failure and will be having valve-replacement surgery soon. In any event, I have no symptoms to indicate that my BP is dangerously low (last week in the hospital, when they first began the Lasix, at one point my BP was 91/45). Additionally, after the cardiac cath procedure on Thursday, they informed me that my arteries are perfect, another reason my BP is lower than in most people my age.

I know a beautiful young lady who was Miss Wheelchair Alabama BECAUSE she went to one of those hacks!

I prefer a nice, toxin releasing, stress reducing hour massage myself. If you can afford to indulge yourself, a deep tissue massage is MAGICALLY healing. I have to be careful, however, because I had a herniated disk removed from my C-4/5 area last September. Apparently, I got jammed up because I worked out regularly for 30 plus years prior to experiencing the HELLO of a herniated disk compressing a nerve starting in my neck and extending down my right arm and into my hand. This affliction just showed up one day. I tried everything holistically possilble to deal with it, including reluctantly seeing a bone cruncher who just caused MORE damage! THANK GOD FOR PERCOCET! Oh, and the Neurosurgeon who remove the disk and relieved me INSTANTLY of unbearable pain is a SAINT!

Our friend had her neck adjusted five times in one day. She lingered 30 days at U of Michigan's hospital. We would love to have her back, even in a wheelchair.

Now, THAT was funny. . I don't care who you are! Sooooo, you're saying there's a chance for a LAWSUIT??? Somebody call "The HAMMER"!! You are ON today, Economan!!!

I expect to see the ads on cable TV by about tomorrow.

Do you, or someone you love, have cancer caused by [name the drug]? If so, you need to call a lawyer at Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe for your free consultation today!

I'm attorney Hugh Lewis Dewey and my Mother died of cancer caused by [name the drug], so this is personal with me. Call us now at 1-800-BIGBUCKS to get the compensation owed to YOU!

Is this a great country or what?

Oh yes! I'm know I'M feeling the love! American's are WAY too uptight, WAY too obsessed, WAY too angry and WAY to over stimulated by all the news that's useless to use.

BTW, I'm on Newsvine representing the Government. I'm here to help and bring rational insight to the discourse, ya feel me? Oh my! We are one TWISTED society, aren't we???

Peace!

dman, are you SURE your "cigarettes" aren't really "funny cigarettes"??? I'm just curious since your post made absolutely NO sense whatsoever.

You know not for nothing, But ANYTHING you take in excess will have its bad points...Like smoking, I'm a very light smoker, maybe 5-8 a day at the most...but, I am put in the circle of all smokers..WRONG...I bet if you ate to many apples it will cause cancer...You can't win period, what ever you do or take to inclue that Mary Jane..will have an adverse effect on you sooner or later.

Obama smokes, put he commends smokers...talk about painting the kettle black (figure of speech), Obama did a lot of drugs and still might..Nothing he says on that point now is there!! I sure would like to drug test him. You just might be surprised!!!

Vote them out! Vote them out!!!

"You know not for nothing"?? Where does one begin to analyze that ridiculous statement? Oh, and eating too many apples would cause a RIGHTEOUS case of diarrhea and some measure of gas and bloating in your stomach. In that regard, cancer risks would likely not be your greatest concern. Obama would "CONDEMN" if he wanted to "talk about painting the kettle black", OR, as those of us who aren't perpetually HIGH might say "talk about the pot calling the kettle black", for the record.

Obama did a lot of drugs and still might..Nothing he says on that point now is there!! I sure would like to drug test him. You just might be surprised!!!

HUH??????????????

I wouldn't normally ask this, but is there any way you can get to a bong. . .like RIGHT NOW??? Oh MY! WE'VE GOT A BLEEDER ON Aisle #13!!! 8-\

"People of her generation had it drilled into them that high BP is very dangerous, will lead to stroke?" Who's drilling what into your generation? That it's invincible? Get real!

Like Steve above, I survived a stroke at 40. I, too never knew I had high BP, although working fulltime as a school bus driver as well as attending college fulltime, and having routine checkups, I certainly should have been aware of it if I had it.

Following the severe subarachnoid hemorraghe, aka, ruptured aneurysm,undergoing three craniotomies, and retiring from school bus driving, I was told that I have high BP and placed on real downers. I refused to take them and was then given a child type of BP med.

I have since sworn off any meds unless it's a lef or death..in the meantime, vitamins and supplements have helped me return to over 95% of my pre-stroke self. I'm a whole lot healthier than I would be by listening to Uncle Sam's "Here, take this. It'll make you feel better."

These people put these meds out with no doubt little or no long range testing, call it a cure all, then say,"Oops..."

Thanks but no thanks.

I never said the risk of stroke, blood clot etc isn't very real and dangerous. No I do not think that my "generation" which incidentally is your generation most likely (I'm in my 40's) is invincible... What I am saying is the meds are being pushed without all the SE being known and made clear. Like you, I believe in research and questioning and looking to natural or alternatives first. My philosophy "don't bring a gun to a knife fight" so please do not patronize or insult me for stating my belief.