"Go Red for Women" Heart Health Awareness

February is Heart Awareness Month. Heart disease is always a hot topic, as it is the number one killer of of American Women. The American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" movement is committed to empowering women by providing education about heart disease and motivating women to take action for better health..

ABC Daytime TV and Campbell's have partnered to celebrate Heart Awareness Month, ABC Television Shows, including The View, All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital are putting the spotlight on women's heart health in February. The daytime soap characters and residents of Pine Valley, Port Charles and Llanview will feature story lines spotlighting heart health.

The ABC Talk Show "The View" kicked of the Go Red Campaign with an appearance by spokesperson, Toni Braxton. Toni Braxton was diagnosed with Pericarditis while in her early 30's. As a heart disease survivor, Toni is committed to raising awareness about prevention of heart disease.

The Campbell's Soup website is supporting the effort to spotlight positive action women can take to effect change. The Campbell's website feature the personal stories of women, recipes and information to help motivate women to make lifestyle changes for heart health.

Marie Osmond is featured on the American Heart Association website, calling out for real women to share their heart health stories. Women have the opportunity to share their story. Women who come forward to share their heart health story have the possibility for becoming the official "Hear t of Go Red: to represent the movement in the upcoming 2008 to 2009 campaign.

Heart disease is a serious disease that is preventable. The American Heart Association recommends small, but significant actions, to prevent heart disease.

Five Simple Ways to Love Your Heart, which are recommended by the American Heart Association.

1. Celebrate with a checkup. Your birthday is an excellent time to schedule your yearly physical. Celebrate another year of life and talk your your doctor about how you can reduce heart disease risk.

2. Get off the couch. Work at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity into your schedule. Even if you are watching the soaps on TV you can step, march or jog in place. If the weather permits, consider a daily walk in the fresh air. Physical activity is an essential part of physical and cardiovascular hearth.

3. Quit smoking in four steps. If you can't go "cold turkey" cut the amount of cigarette smoking you do gradually. Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half. Cut that number of cigarettes in half. Cut that number in half again. Finally you are down to zero cigarettes.

4. Drop a pound or two. Bring yourself closer to a heart healthy weight by cutting calories. By cutting 500 to 1,000 calories a day, you can lose up to two pounds a week.

5. Become a salt detective. Check the Nutrition facts panel on packaged foods for sodium content. Aim for a daily intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams, which is about a teaspoon of salt, per day. Decreasing salt intake reduces the risk of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Heart health is important for longevity and overall well being. Women would be well advised to take the steps to improve heart health. Even small steps can cause a significant improvement in overall health.

Information in this article is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about heart health, consult your physician.