A new found love was discovered when the Ford Model T when into mass production, between people and their cars. We make sure they get washed regularly and we get the oil changed, the tires rotated and the brakes replaced at the slightest indication of a squeak or squeal.
In fact, in 2011 the results from a study said that 40% of the men surveyed were more apt to take care of a problem with their car before any health issue they may have. For example, answer these 2 questions:
1). Do you have a trusted doctor?
2). Do you have a trusted mechanic?
If you answered yes to question number 2, you probably care more about the condition of your car more than you do your own health. And you probably took more time picking out your car than you do a doctor. Do you even know what to look for when choosing a doctor?
Many insurance plans have limited selections of PCP (primary care providers) but you can still shop them. Some things you need to look at when choosing a doctor are:
• How did you relate to the office staff? Were they friendly? Were they helpful?
• Did you find it easy to talk to the doctor? Did you like his approach to treatment?
After getting those answers, if you are unsure still, ask your family, friend and co-workers. Most insurance companies can provide you member/patient recommendations.
Engine vs. Heart
Just about anyone who owns a car, the check engine light comes on. You either take it by you mechanic or schedule an appointment at the dealership. Do you know what any of the symptoms are for heart disease? Did you know that it is the number one reason for death for men and women in America?
Our bodies don’t come with warning lights like our cars do, so we have to do preventive maintenance such as having our blood pressure and cholesterol tested. Instead of warning lights, we have warning signals that are indicators we need to make an appointment with the doctor:
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of feet, lower legs
• Yellow bumps on your skin
• Gums that are bleeding, sore and swollen
It Ain’t Heavy, It’s My Car
When you travel, you don’t over pack your car because it weighs it down and lessens the gas mileage. Pulling a camper with your 2 door sports car is going to wear it out faster from the hard work to pull it up those mountains. The same hold true for your body too. When you’re carrying around extra weight, your heart is working harder to get you from point A to point B. It will wear out prematurely and shorten your lifespan.
Changing Your Car’s Oil vs. Checking Your BP
Car manufacturers and mechanics recommend getting your car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles, right? What about your blood pressure? How often do you have it checked? High blood pressure is the silent killer. People who have hypertension and aren’t aware of it are at a higher risk for a heart attack, a stroke and other heart health issues. Even if you are healthy, get your blood pressure checked every 2 years.
Check Your Brake Fluid vs. Getting A Flu Shot
You may be one of those that will wait until you hear them squeak or squeal, but your mechanic would like to see you have your car’s brakes checked once a year. Do you get the flu shot every year? Many businesses offer them free to their employees and sometimes their families. Drugstores around the nation offer them at a discount too. But still, most of us forgo that flu shot and put ourselves at risk for a variety of infections from the various flu bugs.
