Lifestyle is key

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States. There were more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes last year, leading to 800,000 deaths – almost one death a minute. It cost the nation an estimated $108 billion.

It is statistics like these that directed my research while gearing up this year’s American Heart Month project. The primary message the experts keep repeating is that many of these deaths, cardiac events and complications can be prevented.

The advice is familiar: Maintain a healthy body weight, exercise daily, don’t use tobacco, have regular checkups and follow the doctor’s instructions. As always, the challenge comes in making those lifestyle changes.

My challenge is finding and communicating strategies to help The Tribune-Democrat’s readers succeed in reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease.

I feel a little more qualified to share the experts’ advice this year. My own journey toward a healthier lifestyle was inspired by my work on last year’s premier Heart Month project. I have lost about 20 pounds since last February and have been more conscientious about my daily exercise routine.

Instead of rehashing general stories about heart disease, treatment options and overall prevention measures, I tried to find lesser-known stories and take different approaches to the familiar.

A package of stories will be published in each Sunday’s newspaper, with a different theme each week. This week’s package will look at how the American Heart Association provides research and education for all age groups.It will include a preview of the Feb. 18 Cambria-Somerset Heart Ball at Sunnehanna Country Club and an inspiring story about the event’s Heart Hero – a Cresson-area toddler with a rare heart defect who has overcome the odds.

As I did last year, I will try to chronicle my own lifestyle improvement program in a daily blog, available through our website: www.tribdem.com.

I hope the information presented, along with my own progress, will encourage others to decide that this American Heart Month is the beginning of a better, healthier life.