Around 75 people stopped by the GBRC Activity Center on Saturday to enjoy a free breakfast and learn about heart-healthy behaviors. They were invited to walk laps in the gym and attend free health talks on a number of topics.
Flor Sanchez with the sponsoring Heart of Kansas Family Health Care said the Heart Walk raised about $600 for the American Heart Association.
“We had a good turnout,” Sanchez said. There were drawings for prizes and free blood pressure checks.
February is designated as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Walking is great for moderate levels of activity, according to the Heart Association.
During Saturday’s walk, Sanchez and others sported T-shirts with the slogan, “You can’t beat a healthy heart.” The topics they covered, such as AFib, Stroke, and How to Control Cholesterol, had a few common denominators: Eating a healthy diet, moving more and not using tobacco (including smoking or vaping) are all recommended, along with following a physician’s advice and taking any prescribed medication as directed.
Kathy Nokes from the Heart of Kansas health team talked about the symptoms of stroke, the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (third in women).
“Stroke can happen at any age. Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke,” she said. Recognizing the symptoms and then acting quickly is important for successful recovery. She added, “Eighty percent of strokes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.”
The American Heart Association has boiled it down to “Life’s Essential 8”
• Eat better - Aim for an overall healthy eating pattern that includes whole foods, lots of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds and cooking in non-tropical oils such as olive and canola.
• Be more active - Adults should participate in 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly. Kids should have 60 minutes every day, including play and structured activities.
• Quit tobacco - Roughly 40% of U.S. children ages 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Get healthy sleep - Adults should aim for an average of 7-9 hours, and babies and kids need more, depending on their age. Too little or too much sleep is associated with heart disease, studies show.
• Manage weight - Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight has many benefits. Body mass index (BMI) is a useful gauge. Optimal BMI for most adults ranges from 18.5 to less than 25%.
• Control cholesterol -High levels of non-HDL, or “bad” cholesterol, can lead to heart disease.
• Manage blood sugar - High levels of blood sugar over time can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
• Manage blood pressure - Levels of 120/80 are optimal.
Source: American Heart Association - heart.org/lifes8
