I was in the supermarket early one morning morning when announcement over the sound system to say everyone to make their way to the checkout as the store is now closing.
At first people thought it was a joke or simply the wrong message but then it repeated several times.
On approaching the checkouts, everyone was told to leave their baskets and trolleys and leave the store. Everyone started to file outside not knowing what the problem was. On reaching the checkout there was a middle aged guy lay on the floor with family and staff around him trying to make him comfortable. An ambulance had been called. They seemed to think he had a heart attack but know one really seemed to know.
Everyone left the store and waited outside. The ambulance took almost 30 minutes to arrive. Fifteen minutes later he was on a trolley and wheeled into the ambulance which left, as it had arrived with blue lights and sirens sounding. Everyone then filed back into the store to retrieve abandoned trolleys and baskets and continue with their shopping.
I was thinking that this could have happened to anyone at anytime and most people may be taken totally by surprise. However, personally, I am fortunate. After a health scare last year, I decided to invest on my own personal early warning system. Due to my condition, I also needed a way to create a new income stream and work at times convenient to me rather than the usual 9 to 5.
A simple wristband proved for me to be the ideal solution. It monitors, in real time, my heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, mood and sleep quality. It notifies me, or anyone I nominate by text message and email if anything unusual happens with any of my readings. It also has a panic button that could seek immediate assistance with the GPS co ordinate indicating my location.
Maybe if the guy had been aware something was wrong, he could have sought medical advice before it was almost too late, I know I did when my hypertension and other conditions were was discovered. Thankfully, I now have regular reports on the real time performance of my heart and blood pressure etc. This in itself, reduces the stress of not knowing what's actually going on with my bio signs. It also reduces the stress of medical appointments that have a history of affecting readings due to the increased stress of attendance. This is known as White Coat Syndrome.
There are so many people walking around totally unaware that they have potential life threatening problems. It simply drives home what I have been saying for the last few months, Selfcare is the new Healthcare.
It's time to take responsibility and more control of our own personal well being. 