Pop singer Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest June 25 at age 50.
Media Center
Related Topics
Related Stories
TV pitchman Billy Mays died of heart disease June 28 at age 50.
ESPN host Michael Wilbon, who suffered a heart attack last year at the age of 49, is now working on an education campaign to inform people about the risks of cardiac disease.
First lady Michelle Obama, on Monday, listed heart health among the concerns faced by the nation's community clinics, in announcing the release of $850 million in stimulus grants to help those health centers provide care.
Heart disease can be prevented through healthful practices.
So we're asking: How important is heart health to you? What do you do, or what will you do, to keep your heart strong?
TALKING POINTS: Do your heart good TALKING POINTS: Hearty dose ... of expert advice • "I had a triple bypass. ... For me to do what I do on a normal daily basis, keeping up with my children, my grandchildren, skiing in the winter, playing golf in the summer and just having a good quality of life, I have to exercise."
-
Randy Rose, Manheim Township• "There is a history, in my family, of heart disease and, basically, I'm trying to maintain a good weight because, the older we get, the weight seems to creep up on us."
-
Irene Keares, Manheim Township• "I think exercise is the most important thing that I had to learn and change and do more of. Eating is next, absolutely low-fat, -cholesterol, -sodium; but you have to work every part of your life to fit into this whole piece. ... You have to do the best you can to keep [the heart] as healthy as you have the power to make it."
-
Paula Tshudy, West Lampeter Township• "My goal is to make sure I don't have a problem in the future. I may be young now, but, if I don't watch what I do now, it's going to hurt me in the future."
-
Richard Garcia, master trainer at Universal Health Club, Lancaster• "More women actually die each year of heart disease than men. ... They can reduce their risks ... by exercising, by reducing stress, watching their eats — simple steps to make their lives healthier, and they can live longer."
-
Lori Good, women's heart health educator at Lancaster General Hospital• "One of the big mistakes people make is they think protein, protein, protein; but they never think about the saturated fat content that goes along with it."
-
Jenn Reed, registered dietitian• "Really, when we look at the risk factors of heart disease, whether we're looking at high blood pressure, diabetes, whatever it may be, it really comes down to exercise and eating right."
-
Cindy Hudson, manager of Cardiac Rehab at Lancaster General Hospital
(39)
