All right Hoosiers, it’s time to Go Red this February for American Heart Health month.  Did you know that cardiovascular disease and stroke are the #1 cause of death in Indiana? Nationally it claims over half a million lives every year.  If we just get active, we can reduce our risk by 41%. Are we going to take this lying down?  It’s time we arm ourselves with hand weights and don those running shoes ‘cause we’re going to win this fight!

The first thing you can do to reduce your risk is to learn why you may be in danger.  What factors, lifestyle demons and habits do you have that are more than unwholesome and could provide you with a one way ticket to the ER?  
•    Genetics:  Knowing your family history is one more weapon in your arsenal.
•    Lifestyle: It’s the number one factor that is controlled by you and no one else.

Let’s break down three big contributors of overall wellness: smoking, nutrition and activity.

o    Smoking: It’s the number 1 cause of preventable disease and death. It contributes to the deterioration of the walls of your arteries, reduces your ability to properly receive oxygen and decreases your ability to fight infection. The Indiana Quit Line is a great place to start and break the addiction.

o    Nutrition: Foods high in sugar and fat are two not-so-nutritional contributors to heart disease. They raise your cholesterol, clogging your arteries and making it harder for your heart to work. Make the commitment to eat healthier and you can stick around a lot longer for your loved ones.  The Mayo Clinic is a great resource for tips to eating healthier.

o    Activity: Notice that I didn’t mention the “E” word; it’s all about moving.. Do something physical that gets your heart rate up. Get to a point where you can carry on a conversation but can’t sing a song, and keep it there for about 30-45 minutes daily. The Start Walking program is a good place to begin.  By staying active and eating right you will be giving your heart the care that it needs, and you may even shed an extra pound or two in the process.

If you want a more objective way to assess your risk, the American Heart Association has an interactive “My Life Check” tool to help you identify your risk and manage it. You can also take advantage of the $49 Heart Scan at St. Vincent Hospital. That is less than what I spend at Starbucks in one month!  Together we can beat the number one killer in Indiana. If you want to get involved locally, check out the Indiana Heart Association website for heart health events in the area. You can also find more information about heart disease in the links below.  In the meantime, lace up your warrior sneakers, grab your fitness weapons, Go Red, and tune that ticker for all of the loved ones in your life. If for no one else, do it for the one who matters most: You.