Today is National Walking Day!

We spend more time at work than ever before and as a nation we are becoming more inactive. So today – April 3, 2013 is American Heart Association’s National Walking Day – a day to get up and move! Take a 3o minute walk, enjoy what spring has to offer – green grass, flowering trees, and the promise of nicer weather and more opportunity to walk!

It’s a great way to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and to give us a friendly nudge towards a healthier lifestyle.

An Uplifting Message to Start Your Day!

I found this positive message on Alison Buffkin’s Pinterest site under the heading Inspirations. Did you know the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women website has a Go Red BetterU tab offering a FREE 12-week online nutrition and fitness program that can makeover your heart. Each week will focus on a different area of your health and provide step-by-step guidance. You’ll have access to everything from daily expert tips to an online journal. Check it out!

Go Red for Women: Just a Little Heart Attack

Go Red for Women has produced a short film highlighting the symptoms of a heart attack, featuring Elizabeth Banks. Heart disease affects us all.

HDL & LDL Cholesterol Levels – How do I find my cholesterol levels?

All adults age 20 or older should have a fasting lipoprotein profile — which measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides — once every five years according to the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines for detection of high cholesterol; endorsed by the American Heart Association. This test is done after a 9 to 12-hour fast. 

Your test report will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). To determine how your cholesterol levels affect your risk of heart disease, your doctor will also take into account other risk factors such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.