What are the potential long-term effects of chronic stress on cardiovascular health.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Chronic stress can have profound and lasting effects on cardiovascular health. Below are several potential long-term effects:
1. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Chronic stress is linked to elevated levels of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to increased heart rate and blood vessel constriction. Over time, this sustained elevation in blood pressure can contribute to the development of hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
2. Atherosclerosis
Chronic stress might promote the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) by increasing inflammation and damaging the arterial walls. This condition narrows arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
3. Increased Heart Rate
Chronic stress can lead to consistently elevated heart rates, which can increase the workload on the heart. Over time, this can contribute to the development of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.
4. Inflammation
Stress triggers inflammatory responses in the body, which can affect cardiovascular health. Chronic inflammation is associated with various cardiovascular conditions, including heart disease and stroke.
5. Changes in Lipid Levels
Chronic stress can alter lipid profiles, leading to increased levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreased levels of HDL (good cholesterol). This imbalance can further contribute to cardiovascular risk by promoting plaque formation in arteries.
6. Lifestyle Factors
Chronic stress may lead individuals to adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking, overeating, or physical inactivity. These lifestyle choices can further exacerbate cardiovascular health issues over time.
7. Heart Failure
Prolonged stress can weaken the heart muscle over time, potentially leading to heart failure. This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in a range of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.
8. Cardiac Arrhythmias
Chronic stress may be linked to an increased risk of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). These can range from benign to serious, potentially leading to complications like stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.
9. Mental Health Implications
The long-term effects of chronic stress on mental health (such as anxiety and depression) can also indirectly affect cardiovascular health. Poor mental health is associated with increased cardiovascular risk due to its impact on lifestyle choices and physiological responses.
Conclusion
The relationship between chronic stress and cardiovascular health is complex and multifaceted. Managing stress through healthy coping strategies, mindfulness practices, regular physical activity, and seeking professional support can mitigate these risks and promote better overall cardiovascular health.
