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Take it to heart Friday, February 5
When it comes to heart disease,
By Jaime Calder women’s symptoms, risk factors
and survival rates differ from
men’s. To fight the longstanding
perception of heart disease as a
“man’s issue,” the American Heart
Association declared February 5
“National Wear Red Day” to raise
awareness about the unique risks
and symptoms of heart disease
in women. To learn more about
women’s unique risk factors and
the preventive steps they can
take to improve heart health, visit
www.goredforwomen.org.

A healthy diet and regular exercise have been shown to be beneficial in preventing heart disease. Always consult your
physician before beginning any exercise plan.

When doctors began investigating their research, doctors in New York City, States, one out of every four deaths will
cardiovascular heath in 1915, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago founded be related to heart failure – a number
many were skeptical that the American Heart Association (AHA). which, after years of decline, began to
patients with heart disease could endure The group grew steadily over the years, rise again in 2012.
anything more strenuous than bedrest, with medical professionals and laypersons
much less live full, productive lives. A alike working to further the scientific The good news? Ninety percent of all
handful of doctors, however, believed research and public understanding of cardiovascular disease is preventable.
otherwise. In 1924, seeking to share in cardiovascular illness. Though men and women experience the
symptoms of heart disease differently,
Top Fitness Center picks for In the 1950s, researchers were able to both genders can easily reduce their
heart health definitively link heart disease to lifestyle risk through a healthy lifestyle. A diet
Cardio Sculpt choices such as diet, smoking, alcohol rich in fruits and vegetables can lower
Monday, Wednesday, Friday consumption and physical activity. Though blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose
9:15 a.m. • TD many are familiar with the benefits of levels, and when coupled with regular
Aqua Intervals healthy living, even the best of intentions exercise, keep weight within a healthy
Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. • TD can be waylaid by the chaos of daily life. In range. While any movement is better
Power Cycle 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued than nothing, high intensity workouts
Monday, Wednesday, Friday an official reminder to all Americans which alternate between the upper and
6:30 a.m. • CC annually by declaring February to be lower body will get your heart and blood
Basic Kickboxing American Heart Month. pumping, exercising your arteries and
Monday, 1 p.m. • TD giving you the most bang for your buck.
Meditation Though there have been tremendous Workouts which reduce stress and tension,
Thursday, 3:15 p.m. • TD advances in cardiovascular health like yoga and meditation, also contribute
since President Johnson’s declaration, to heart health by lowering blood pressure
maladies of the heart continue to be an and improving sleep quality. Whatever
urgent public health issue. Cardiovascular you choose to do, remember to have fun
disease is the leading cause of death – after all, if you’re going to add years to
worldwide, claiming more lives than all your life, you might as well enjoy them!
forms of cancer combined. In the United

ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG FEBRUARY 2016 SUNRAYS | 33