HEART HEALTH

    Since the year began I have been reminded on how important the heart is. In January I lost a neighbor to a massive heart attack. My neighbor Clyde was in his mid-sixty's and in good physical shape. I've seen Clyde out walk me in our neighborhood, which is why I am surprised by his sudden death. This raises the question, is heart health achieved through diet and exercise alone. I know the effect of smoking is more work on the heart, but how about stress.

    We all at one time or another experience stress, if it be physical or emotional. When does stress cross from beneficial to detrimental for our wellbeing? I do not know for certain but I imagine if one of the effects from stress is high blood pressure, then you have crossed over. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder and just like smoking it needs to be removed from your life style for overall health.

February is Heart Health Awareness Month and last week my son brought home from school a fundraiser for The American Heart Association. The idea behind the fundraiser was to give in honor of anyone with heart related problems. I donated in honor of my mom who has heart disease. There are many underlining factors to heart disease and to name a few are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history (genetics). Our life style of diet, exercise, smoking, and stress all contribute to these factors.

Saturday, after reading about Whitney Houston's death, I reflected on how much our lifestyles contribute to heart health. I do not know for sure her cause of death but I can't help to think her life style played a role. I am saddened by Whitney Houston's passing and know there will never be another voice like hers. She was only forty-eight and had so much more to give in life.

This week I was able to give back to my community and it warmed my heart. I may never know if a person can die of a sad or lonely heart. I do know for me that having a cheerful and loving heart is beneficial to my heart health. My prayer is that each of you will take care of your heart physically and emotionally. God Bless!!!