February 2 is Go Red For Women Day So I got My Blood Pressure Checked

We kick of February with a routine check-up for my BP. 122/95 tells me I'm not being active enough. Heart disease is hereditary with the women in my family, both maternal and paternal. February is American Heart Month. When was the last time you went in for a check-up? Do you know the signs of heart disease? What changes can you make in your life to help prevent heart disease?

Personally, when my physician says we should add this pill or that pill, my first response is No, we're going to go the more homeopathic, natural, common sense route first.

My focus is to revamp my fitness regime which, ashamedly, has been lax for quite some time now, heart healthy food choices, less caffeine, less processed foods, less sodium.

My mother's blood pressure ran rampant when she was my age. She suffered headaches. Would her aneurysm have happened if she had gotten a grip on her blood pressure sooner? Perhaps, but we'll never know for certain now.

As for me, there are too many adventures, too many laughs and tears, too many people that need me to be here, too much love still to give to not to do all I can to correct and control

Some staggering statistics about heart disease and women according to the American Heart Association

*Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately
one woman every 80 seconds.

*An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases.

*90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.

*Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.

*80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education

*Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.

*The symptoms of heart attack can be different in women vs. men, and are often misunderstood –
even by some physicians.

*Women who are involved with the Go Red For Women movement live healthier lives.

*When you get involved in supporting Go Red For Women by advocating, fundraising and sharing your story, more lives are saved.

For more information on heart disease and women visit www.goredforwomen.org

Don't forget to send us your pictures as you Go Red on Friday February 2