February 3rd is Go Red Day!

The facts are clear. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, the killer isn’t as easy to see. Heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood.
 The truth is: our lives are in our hands. We can stop our No. 1 killer together by sharing the truth. We can be the difference between life and death.

This year, Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks directs and stars in the first-ever Go Red For Women short film and PSA called “Just a Little Heart Attack.”  Inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease, the entertaining, yet poignant film can be viewed below.

Love Your Heart: Tips for Daily Living

Make Easy Lifestyle Changes. For Example:

• Look for short breaks each day (approx. 10-30 minutes) to implement heart healthy activities

such as walking or other types of enjoyable physical activity

• Take the Go Red Heart Checkup at www.GoRedForWomen.org to learn your heart disease risk

• Plan quick and simple healthy meals

• Know your family heart health history

• Add extra walks to and from the water cooler

• Take ten minute walks between meetings

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator

• Bring healthy snacks

• Take time for lunch and eat at regular intervals versus skipping meals

• Make time for physical activity – go to the gym and bring your favorite book or office materials

to read or workout at home watching your favorite show

• Plan meals in advance – visit americanheart.org for recipes from a number of heart-healthy cookbooks and use the online grocery list builder to quickly identify heart-healthy products to add to your grocery list

• Set up “physical activity time” on a daily basis

• Walk around your neighborhood or in your office

• Run up and down the stairs

• Do an exercise video

• Walk when doing errands and park farther from your destination

• Take your kids to the park and identify play time activities that help keep you fit

• Join a walking group or ask friends to join you in daily walking

• Work out when your child is at practice or extra curricular activities

• Exercise while watching your favorite TV show

• Plan a physical activity routine

• Airports and malls are great places to get in a brisk walk around the terminal or from one end

of the mall to the other

• Drink plenty of water

Tips for Traveling for Work/Play:

• Take time to stretch while on the flight

• Exercise in your hotel room – simple stretches or other exercise like sit ups and push ups

• Take advantage of physical fitness facilities located in the hotel

• Pack heart-healthy snacks, fruits, and know how to manage your snack triggers

• Pack sneakers and comfortable clothes for working out

• For frequent travel keep an extra pair of tennis shoes already packed in your bag

Love Your Heart: Relaxation Tips:

• Keep a journal

• Reduce stress: Plan a technology-free weekend balanced with active sports, swimming, skiing,

horse-back riding, or other fun physical activity

• Celebrate your successes with healthy rewards like a massage or facial

Tips for Moms on the Go: