HEART HEALTH - FEBRUARY FOCUS

Our weekly meeting with affiliates and friends including: BenefitPlace, Vesta Worksite, and Vesta p&c, was to be focused on wellness plans.  The meeting gravitated to a discussion of Heart Health!  This shift was inspired by the month of February being American Heart Month and the coming decisions for Valentine's Day! 


In 1963 the Congress passed a resolution that required th President to proclaim February as American Heart Month.  It was noted at our meeting that back then Congress actually acted on something!  Juxtaposing the floundering Health Care Reform with the out-of-control increases in Health Care Costs, we all agreed that it was appropriate to focus on cardiovascular disease that was and is the Nation's Number 1 killer.  


According to the American Heart Association "heart disease and stroke kill one in every 3.7 men" and "one in 2.4 women lose their lives to heart disease and stroke".  Another startling statistic is provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - "About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event".


So what should we celebrate on Valentine's Day! 


Number 1 - It's Ok to give Chocolate and toast with Red Wine!  Dark chocolate contains a group of compounds called plant flavonoids - these help reduce cholesterol from accumulating in the blood vessels.  Red wine provide the same antioxidant properties!


Number 2 - You can Control the Risk!  According to the CDC your should:    

• Know the Signs and  Symptoms!
• Stop Smoking and Reduce exposure to Secondhand Smoke!
• Improve your Lifestyle!

With the above in mind, we all agreed to have a healthy week, not forget Valentine's Day, and further discuss Wellness Plans at another time!


Have a Great Week and Please Share Your Thoughts with our community!