Back in 1963, Congress passed a law proclaiming February American Heart Month. This year, Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s (AHA) nationwide movement to help women band together to wipe out heart disease. With tips on eating healthy, exercising, and reducing your risk factors, the movement offers the latest information about your health. For more details, see http://www.goredforwomen.org [2].

We have the power
The statistics are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Worldwide, heart disease kills more than 7 million people each year.

However, studies also show that among people with heart disease, lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels can greatly reduce your risk. “Cardiovascular disease is something that can largely be prevented,” says Bryan Keane, communications director in New York for the American Heart Association. “We all need to take the time to improve our health, protect our hearts, and make smarter lifestyle choices.”

Attention, Ladies
Despite the fact that heart disease is the No.-1 killer of women in this country, only 13% of women view heart disease as a health threat, according to the AHA.

The good news is that we all have the power to help ourselves. These steps have been adapted from the AHA:
• See your health professional on a regular basis.
• Get moving for 20 to 30 minutes every day. Jog, dance, swim, hike, or bike. Sign up for a class in yoga, Pilates, or aerobic salsa.
• Drink at least 1 1/2 liters of water per day to maintain optimal kidney function.
• Eat smart. Keep raw veggies and fruits in the front of your fridge.
• Control your numbers. To keep cholesterol down, eat foods low in saturated and trans fat. Your HDL (good cholesterol) should be higher than 50. LDL (bad cholesterol) should be less than 160 for people without heart disease, and less than 100 for people with a history of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
• Lower your salt intake. Beware of food labels that disguise the culprit as trisodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate, monosodium glutamate, and sodium bicarbonate.
• Quit smoking.
• Take off excess weight. Shrink your portions. Ban high-calorie snacks from your home.
• Keep a food journal.

Beware of belly fat!
Belly fat, known to health professionals as central adiposity, adds significantly to the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

Beverley Balkau, PhD., a French researcher who recently led a study on the subject, notes that while measuring body mass index (BMI) is one way to determine how overweight a person is, waist circumference is a more powerful marker of heart disease and diabetes risk.

To measure your waist, place a tape measure midway between your lower ribs and the crest of your hips. A measurement of 40 inches or more in men, or 35 or more in women, indicates a heightened risk for developing heart disease.

The doctor is in
Here are frequently asked questions from the patients of David Tager, MD, a board certified internist at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vt.
Q: What’s the best way for a middle-aged person who doesn’t get much exercise to relieve stress?
A: Set aside time to do aerobic exercise, yoga, or meditation.
Q: What are some ways I can get my teenagers to adopt a healthier lifestyle?
A: Limit television time, stress healthy snacks, and encourage daily outdoor play.
Q: What number should my fasting blood glucose be?
A: Fasting blood sugar should be less than 110.
Q: What could a racing heart mean?
A: It could be a normal response to fear. If it occurs in the absence of fear, it can mean that your heart’s electrical system is disturbed and may require evaluation by a cardiologist.

What about the children?
The AHA has teamed up with the William J. Clinton Foundation, a national organization created to teach children about proper diet and exercise, along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to create a national Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Its goal is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 by offering practical ways to help children live longer, healthier lives. See more information at www.allianceforahealthiergeneration.org [3].

What can you do to help an overweight family member?

• Don’t judge. Show support and encouragement. Keep the attitude positive.
• Suggest ways to get moving together. Choose a different activity each day. Take a hike or a swim, play a round of golf, spend an hour dancing.
• Together, learn about healthy eating, plan weekly menus, and cook the meals.
• If your family member doesn’t see positive results, suggest consulting a nutritionist.