Not Just Another Resolution!

Happy New Year! It’s that time again when a majority of us have made our resolutions. According to my Internet search, the usual ones include lose weight, spend more time with family, eat healthy, save money, etc. After considerable thought the heading for my list is Goals for 2012. I’ve decided to choose the word “goals” rather than resolutions because resolutions doesn’t leave me with the same feeling of commitment and those who know me know that I’m pretty goal oriented. That little change in the heading of my written goals (yes, I do write them down) seemed appropriate.

Topping my list is to do everything that I can to make certain my heart is healthy and to encourage everyone whom I know to do the same. Both of my parents died from heart related illnesses at a very early age so I probably have a bigger incentive than most of my friends but I do feel that it is important for everyone – women especially.

We are constantly bombarded through TV and magazine ads making us aware of breast cancer. Yet Dr. Oz said on his TV show last year,

“More than one in four women die from heart disease, nearly triple the number of breast and lung cancer combined.”

(If you missed Dr. Oz’s shows on heart health, you can access them on his website.) Breast cancer awareness and research has had very good PR and survivors can talk about how important it is to have routine exams. Since fewer women survive heart attacks, they aren’t around to encourage us to live a healthy lifestyle and get our blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Also, the symptoms for women are often drastically different than for men and women wait longer to call 911 or see their doctor. Frequently it’s not in the forefront of doctor’s minds so it’s up to us to be on top of this issue.

So, how can we take care of the ones we love as well as ourselves? Be informed -- know how to take the steps to prevent and control heart attacks and strokes and tell everyone you can to do the same. There are now so many wonderful web sites that give us the facts that we need. A really great one that I love for describing symptoms and providing a downloadable checklist to take to your doctor is www.womenshealth.gov/heartattacks. If you haven’t already, find out what your family history is and let your doctor know if any of your family members have high blood pressure, heart disease or strokes.

It’s up to you. Decide now to get a healthier lifestyle. This means eating more vegetables and fruit and less meat. It also means getting some exercise every day. Just remember, you won’t see your blood pressure and cholesterol drop overnight but making these changes will mean less risk of future heart problems and you will be feeling better and enjoying the life that you were meant to live.

Another great way to spread the word to your friends and family is to support the Go Red day on February 3rd this year. Provide your support not just for the one day, but the whole month of February. There are several methods for giving support. Check out the American Heart Association website for ways you can give both locally and nationally. For my friends outside of the US, check the Internet for a similar organization for your country. You can get all kinds of Go Red products with all proceeds benefiting the American Heart and American Stroke Associations.

Even though I knew about my family history of heart related illnesses, I’d not kept track of my blood pressure or cholesterol. One fate-filled day while at work, I spent my lunch and break time having both checked out. Thank goodness I did because I found out that both were sky high and I was a potential stroke or heart attack sufferer! Now I want to be sure that I encourage others to have both checked regularly. It only takes a few minutes and you could be saving your life.

I’m the same as everyone else, if I don’t take my goals (resolutions) seriously and stay on track, I’ll backslide. If I can get as many of you as possible to adopt this goal, we can support each other and get the word out to others that a lifestyle change is important for a healthier and longer life.

To keep the body in good health is a duty. . . otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
Buddha
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.
Jim Rohn