Happy National Heart Month! Valentine's Day is not the only way to celebrate the heart this February! Join me for a fun girls night out to raise heartbeats and awareness on February 16, 2017 at 7pm at Ink Block Boston. The night will start off with a unique class created by myself and Kick It by Eliza founder, Eliza Shirazi. The awesome workout we have put together combines Barre inspired sculpting techniques with the high energy, heart pumping cardio benefits of Eliza's kickboxing routine. After class there will be plenty of time to have fun and also to shop for quality, sustainable second hand clothing from GoGarbaj, organic fair-trade products from Organic Bath Company, and cold- pressed juice refreshments from Mother Juice. All ticket proceeds from the evening will go to The American Heart and American Stroke Association. I am so excited for this event and so grateful to Eliza and all of the sponsors for helping to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke and to support the the American Heart and Stroke Association. Since having my stroke four years ago, I have been on a journey to spread the message that embracing a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce ones risk of heart disease and stroke. I can think of no better way to celebrate heart month then at this heart-healthy night out. Tickets are $15, and space is limited. Purchase link.
Tips for Preventing and Recognizing a Stroke and Heart Disease:
What I have learned from having my own experience with stroke it is that is so important to be vigilant about your health, even at a young age. High blood pressure (hypertension) like high cholesterol, can easily go un-detected, especially if you are young and appear healthy. One way to help reduce your risk is to have your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, checked regularly and keep your own records, so that you can monitor any changes. This should be a lifelong practice and it is never too early to start. Being able to recognize the signs of stroke is key to knowing when to get medical attention. For more details on knowing the warning signs of stroke and heart attack visit The American Heart Association.
Harvard Medical School States that the top 5 ways to reduce your risk for having a stroke are:
-Lower your blood pressure ( single biggest stroke risk factor)
-Keep Cholesterol levels healthy
-stop smoking
-stay in a healthy weight range
-exercise regular
Prior to my own stroke, it had never occurred to me that I should be aware of my blood pressure and cholesterol in my 30s. I had no idea if I was in a healthy range, I just figured my doctor would tell me if there were any concerns. But leaving the tracking of your health entirely up to your doctor (especially when you are young) is not a good idea. Knowing your health status now is so important. I know it can be emotional and scary to take a close and deep look at your health, especially if you have a family history of disease. But the information you collect today, can be your baseline, your compass that guides you in making important health and wellness decisions for yourself. For example, blood tests that show a slight elevation in your blood pressure or cholesterol can be lowered by improving eating habits and embracing a healthier lifestyle. You don’t want to wait years to find out you have high cholesterol or hypertension, when you are at the point of needing medications or because you have developed heart disease. Knowing your health status now, can help you identify the changes (even small ones) you need to make to reduce risk of facing a stroke and heart disease in the future
Recognize a Stroke Fast:
FAST approach to spotting a stroke:
F-face drooping
A-arm weakness
S-speech difficulty
T-time to call 911
