American Heart Month: My Plans for Promoting Heart Health

Heart health is such a vital issue to all of us and our loved ones. Our heart is truly the center of our health - that amazing engine that beats consistently while we play and sleep. A healthy heart positively affects our limbs, organs, and our brain. During the month of February I plan to get involved in promoting heart health by taking the following actions:

Encouraging Friends and Family to Adopt Healthier Eating Habits

I already know two people in my immediate family who can benefit from encouragement to eat healthier. I have a younger brother who is overweight and will be greatly helped by healthier eating habits. Unfortunately, in the past I would almost always listen to him when we were driving together and he'd want to go to a fast food place. Now, whenever he is with me in the car, if he tells me to go to a fast-food drive-through I will simply tell him that the convenience is not worth the price it will cost his health. I will stress to him that although he may be young(18), it's never too early to pay attention to one's cholesterol and sugar intake, and it's long-term effects on one's heart.

The other person is my father, who has been tested and found to have high cholesterol, and currently could benefit from changing some eating habits and also losing some weight. He's about 60 years of age and I sometimes worry about his dietary proclivities.

I will try my best to endorse low-fat, heart healthy foods such as whole grains and vegetables. I will personally abstain from fried foods, and whenever using oils I will opt for olive oil. I will mention heart health to friends in college while we're eating and remind them about how important health is.

Finding a Local Bicycle Group to Join

Aerobic exercises are an excellent way to improve one's heart health. I really recommend jump rope to everyone - it really is an effective workout. However, I personally find biking to the most enjoyable mode of transportation possible - it's almost stress-free and you can often see interesting sights. I plan to find a local cycling group and join in my free time.

Find local "American Heart Month" Activities and Encourage Middle-Aged Adults I Know to Attend

I plan to search my local newspaper, the local branch of the American Heart Association, and online bulletin boards for upcoming heart-health events, and then to send on the information to all the friends and relatives I know ages 30 and older. The American Heart Associate truly does useful and groundbreaking work, unlike some other organizations tied up with lobby groups. I intend to encourage them to participate and attend, and that the information is priceless. I believe they'll appreciate my concern for their health and will seriously consider.