People of long ago lived well in their years. They get as old as a hundred years or even longer. Adam died at age 930, Noah 950, Abraham 175, Isaac 180, with Methuselah being the oldest character in the bible to die at 969. Some sectors believe that longer life expectancy can be attributed to factors such as food, environment and lifestyle. A long time ago, most food were not processed and were consumed in its natural state. Naturally, people are healthier due to the absence of chemicals and preservatives which can cause a lot of the modern day illnesses prevalent today. The environment was also free from harmful pollutants brought about by industrialization. And lifestyles then were simple enough not to cause too much stress and anxiety.



But today's modern world is far from the olden days where life is like a breeze of fresh air. And no matter how much people try to bring back the old ways, we can only get so far. People can go on a diet of natural foods, a healthy lifestyle of fitness without the vices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and the like. But what about the environment? This is a different story. People can engage in tree-planting projects, in campaigns against pollution, recycling solutions, etc. It can minimize the harmful effects of worldwide biological pollution or the green-house effect, but as the world continues to evolve and develop, progress will continue to destroy the ecosystem, the atmosphere, and its natural resources. The depletion of the ozone layer has long been recognized as a threat to human health and the environment. Global warming caused by the carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles are also the reason for a lot of respiratory diseases that has caused, directly and indirectly, the deaths of thousands. Although there are very few people who still live up to more than a hundred years old, such as Cuban Benito Martinez who died at 126 on October 2006, life expectancy has dramatically dropped down to 80 on the average.

The fast-paced lifestyle brought about by advancements in technology has produced physical, emotional, and psychological conditions such as stroke, depression, stress and anxiety disorders. Recent studies, however, show that Americans are living longer and healthier nowadays. Reason for this are the technological advancement in medicines such as the new medical screening tests which can often detect diseases and potentially serious health conditions in their early, treatable stages. Some of these tests include Blood Pressure Check, High Cholesterol Screening, Blood Sugar Test.

Blood Pressure Check

Blood pressure refers to the arterial pressure that takes blood away from the heart. Blood pressure tends to rise as people age. However, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the risk factors for heart stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, arterial aneurysms, and chronic renal failure. It kills the heart, brain, eyes and kidneys. Don't let hypertension sneak up on you. Get your blood pressure checked by your doctor at least once a year.

Cholesterol Screening

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance the body uses to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. But it takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. Too much cholesterol in the bloodstream or high cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This is why it is important to measure the cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years and more frequently if you are at higher risk.

Blood Sugar Test

Blood Sugar Test determines how well your body can process sugar or glucose. It also diagnoses diabetes which can destroy your health, leading to heart disease, kidney failure and blindness when left untreated. Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening condition which can be managed if detected in its early stage. Get a blood sugar test at least once every 3 years.

Taking these medical tests and physical check ups do not guarantee a longer life but it will surely help improve one's health to visit your health care providers in a regular visit. It is advice to practice a healthy and active lifestyle to prevent acquiring serious medical conditions which can shorten one's life expectancy.