What Does Science Say about Living Fast, Dying Hard?

Stress kills, science says. Living fast can cause early death, especially with stress added to medical problems or drugs, as with Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Like other entertainers and truckers, they lived fast, endured stress and died young.

Medical folks maintain the human body’s stress response develops when an individual perceives he or she is under threat. This threat can be an enormous task that a person believes might be impossible, a physical threat such as an animal attack or illness, or unique social or economic burdens. In fact science maintains the stress response is a protective one, in that it can save a person from danger by alerting one to that danger, but that over time stress can actually destroy brain cells and kill. Stress is the mechanism that allows man to survive, but it is also the mechanism to impact life span when it is long-standing and perceived negatively over a period of time. Then the response isn’t fight or flight but fight, fight, fight; and that’s not good. Scientific conclusions and circumstantial evidence present evidence chronic emotional stress can be associated with heart disease and consequently early death. There are a number of reasons or factors that create the link between heart disease and stress. According to anecdotal reports and research, those who have chronic stress are more apt to take up bad habits such as smoking, overeating or drugs. They are also less likely to exercise. In addition, in the medical arena, it has been found a surge in adrenaline that is caused by severe emotional stress causes the blood to clot faster, which increases heart attack risks. Michael Jackson underwent a series of stressers that likely affected him long term. He reported considerable stress where he was reported to have sexually abused children. He had financial problems also reported to be significant. In addition he was planning a series of concerts as a comeback, which required considerable physical and emotional energy. He was known to have been addicted to drugs and to use them as a form of escape. These are all stressors, as indicated by scientists, that can create heart disease and early death. Regardless of whether or not the drug Demerol was the immediate cause of death, Jackson was reported to not be looking well following his return to Los Angeles and his announcement of a return to show business via a 50-city tour, which he was training for at the time he died. Farrah Fawcett was reported to have lived a life of drama and difficulty. She, like Jackson, was reported to have been addicted to drugs. She had many problems that included a long-term, tumultuous relationship with actor Ryan O'Neal as well as a son who struggled with drug addiction. Following her breakup with O’Neal, her a writer-director boyfriend, James Orr was convicted of assaulting her. Her acting out behavior following the breakup with O’Neal brought suspicions of drug abuse, although she denied having any drug problems. After her breakup with Orr, which came after severe physical trauma, she took a low profile in the entertainment industry, until her diagnosis of anal cancer brought renewed interest in “America’s sweetheart,” as she had been known by the television industry and her fans at the height of the show, “Charlie’s Angels,” that made her famous. Elvis Presley died after struggles described as his “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” . Like Jackson he was considered to be the icon of icons, the King of Rock and Roll. He lived a life of extravagance, took prescription drugs in great quantities and had personal problems related to his marriage and divorce with Priscilla Presley. That life of extravagance, coupled with personal problems, alcohol and drugs, and personal tragedies, has also lead to problems for such notables as Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minneli and River Phoenix. Taylor is now in her 70’s, Liza in her 60’s, but both are unable to perform successfully and have had myriads of physical ailments that keep them out of the public eye for long stretches. The entertainment industry has a relatively high rating for alcohol and drug abuse compared with other industries. Truckdrivers have among the highest rate of alcohol abuse as do those in the food and drink industry. Among entertainers, males were found to have the higher incidence of illicit drug use where for women the higher rates were in the food preparation industries. Women who work in food preparation are said to have high stress because of customer demands, low pay and multiple responsibilities that have to be accomplished in specific time frames under specific demands. High stress coupled with the specific occupation added to drug abuse are potentially lethal combinations, as they have been for a number of entertainers over the years. Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett are just two among many who have lived lives in the fast lane, under stress and consequently died hard and early. But then, so do truck drivers whose stressful lives, long hours on the road, falling asleep at the wheel and using alcohol to beat the blues brings early deaths as well.