The rest will be shorter, I promise!

Good morning Richland County! 

Thanks for checking out the From the Heart program blog! All month long I will be posting awareness and prevention information that you can use to assess and reduce your risk of developing a heart and blood vessel disease. Most importantly, I’ll be posting things that make sense to you (hopefully!)- ways to work prevention strategies into your daily life, sneaky ways to trick yourself into working out, simple ways to cut calories and eat healthier that you probably won’t even notice in your daily diet. My goal here is to help you get heart healthier as easily as possible. My promise to you is that I will never suggest anything that I wouldn’t do myself. 

So why am I doing this? I’m an AmeriCorps VISTA and I originally hail from Rhode Island. When I was young, my father had a heart attack and his heart stopped. First responders were able to restart his heart, but his recovery has been long and difficult. It put a significant emotional and financial strain on my family, and when I moved here, I wanted to make sure that this didn’t happen to any of you. I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences, but I wouldn’t want to see any of you go through what my family did.

But what's the big deal?

What is the big deal about cardiovascular disease? Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of Richland County residents? Did you know most people don’t even know they have a heart condition until it’s too late? Or that most people don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of a cardiac episode until it’s too late?

My job here is to make sure that you are prepped with the knowledge to avoid cardiovascular disease.

 This month will feature:

This blog. By reading this, you are one step closer to heart health!

Tons of red. Red all over Richland. I’m asking local business and organizations to wear red for one day in February to help support this program. I will be wearing red all 28 days of February- yup, R.C. that means red to work, red on weekends, red at the gym, red to bed. I’ll be posting pictures of myself and my supporters on the Flickr site, which you can find to the right.

Tons more red. Check out the From the Heart display case at Yellowstone Mercantile.

More and more red. Be sure to swing by the Sidney Public Library to take a looksie at the new resources that are available. We’ve got brochures, books, and DVD’s and other fun things!

More more more red (and maroon?). Come support your Sidney Eagles at the Sidney High basketball games at Sidney versus Glendive on February 3^rd, and versus Williston on February 12th. Check out the From the Heart display and test your cardiovascular knowledge for a chance to win prizes!

Red as in Red Cross. In conjunction with Sidney Health Center and Richland County Ambulance Service, we’ll be holding a FREE CPR and first aid training class on Saturday, February 12 at 1 PM at Sidney Health Center. Spots are limited so call 488-2510 to register. 

Run til you’re red- We’ve partnered with Sidney Health Center, Richland Recreation, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, HealthWorks, and Great Lakes Airlines to bring you the IronHeart Duathlon! Run a total of 13.1 miles and bike 56 miles during the month of February and you’ll be entered to win two round trip flights, courtesy of Great Lakes Airlines! Those who complete the most miles during February in each age group will also win prizes. Registration is $10, and forms can be picked up at HealthWorks. Not a member? You’ll get a 20% discount on a one month membership so you can participate! Thanks HealthWorks!

Save on red- During February, Jock Stop in Sidney will be offering 10% off any red merchandise! They’ll also be selling the official From the Heart t-shirts for $18 all month long. Proceeds will benefit the Cardiac Rehab facility at Sidney Health Center.

That’s all I’ve got for now, R.C. Check back tomorrow for more!

How are YOU going to get heart healthy?

From my heart to yours,

Red in Richland County