How many of us have experienced moments, sometimes long periods, when we feel overwhelmed by the demands on us physically and emotionally? When we despair of being unable to handle the pressures or "stress" from work, family, social and other responsibilities? Sometimes we wonder whether the hours in the day have become shorter.

In attempting to get ahead of the work, we double our efforts. It sometimes leads to neglect of our families and friends, but critically more important is the persistent neglect of the consequences of this pressure on our body until… irreversible damage has occurred.

It is remarkable how regularly we obtain professional economic appraisal of our business and personal properties, but do not consider comparable appraisal of our physical and emotional well being. Yet our health is our most valuable asset.

Society’s Walking Time Bombs

In Canada and the United States, it is estimated that billions of dollars are wasted from excessive health costs and lost productivity on the basis of uncontrolled stress in the workplace.

Research demonstrates that 20 percent of the work force is unable to tolerate stress. These individuals react to life’s daily routine challenges like cavemen fighting for survival. They literally kill themselves by overdosing their heart with their own adrenalin-like substances (survival chemicals) which, when turned inward, damage the heart muscle fibres.

These individuals have been termed “hot reactors”. They are the walking time bombs ticking in corporate corridors and are the silent casualties of our high-tech society, even though outwardly they may appear to be physically fit, as well as financially and professionally successful.

To date, the medical dilemma had been the identification of these individuals so that appropriate intervention can be instituted.