The Fix

The American Heart Association quite clearly states that “the risk of heart disease can be reduced through lifestyle changes -- a healthy diet, physical activity and elimination of tobacco use”. According to the heart association, 59 percent of adults who responded to a 2008 national survey described themselves as physically inactive. "We can't expect significant change until it becomes a cultural mandate," said Dr. Leslie Cho, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Women's Cardiovascular Center. "When society as a whole makes conscious decisions to eat better and as a default plan be more active, then we're going to do better."

We do have a choice. We can decide not to smoke, what to eat and what we do. The AHS recommends that for health benefits to the heart, lungs and circulation, we need to perform moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week at 50–85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Regardless of what we do, the key is to include physical activity as part of our regular routine. In short, the key is to make a positive lifestyle change.

So it seems that most of us have a choice, either be a victim of our own poor choices or make some changes in our lives that will make life better for ourselves, our friends and families and our country. It is never too late to change your life or a loved one’s life, so take that first step today!