National Wear Red Day

 

Today is National Wear Red Day, which happens on the first Friday of February - American Heart Month. Apparently I don't have much red in my wardrobe, but I went as red as I could! Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women and it's an issue that hits really close to home with me. 

My maternal grandmother and my mother's sister passed away early in their lives from cancer. My mother had gotten genetic testing done to see if she was predisposed to cancer. The results said she - and consequently I - were not genetically predisposed to cancer, but were at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. My maternal grandfather lived to an older age than my grandmother and aunt, but died suddenly from a heart attack. And then, several years ago, the unthinkable happened. Out of nowhere, my mom felt a terrible pain in her jaw and collapsed. The doctors were never able to resuscitate her. None of us even knew jaw pain was a symptom of a heart attack!

So now I'm left with this ever-present anxiety about heart disease taking me from my family too early. While I know I can't ever control everything, there are things I can do to keep my heart healthier. I've compiled a list of helpful articles about heart health:

Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms in Women

Waist Size Matters

28 Healthy Heart Tips

Give Your Heart Health a Lift

Since the above article told me that strength training is as healthy as cardio for my heart - which I absolutely believe because I met a women who had to at least be in her upper 60s at the aquatic center a few years ago who swam and lifted weights regularly and looked AMAZING - I found these strength training exercises for women:

7 Best Strength Training Exercises for Women

And because we shouldn't wait to take care of our hearts until we're adults...

10 Ways to Keep Your Child's Heart Healthy

Stay healthy and keep those hearts strong!! <3