February is National Heart Health Month

February is National Heart Health Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and educating individuals on how they can reduce their risk.

What is heart disease? Often interchangeable with the term ‘cardiovascular disease’, heart disease is a general term that covers an array of diseases that can affect the heart such as:  coronary artery disease; heart arrhythmias; heart infections; and heart defects one is born with. 

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. It accounts for 1 out of every 4 deaths. Fleet Feet Sports Montclair is providing several opportunities for members of the community to become educated on the signs and symptoms and risk factors of heart disease, which can affect both active and sedentary individuals; as well as, resources to begin the road to a healthy heart.

GO RED | Friday, February 1, 2013 - Go Red is a national campaign raising awareness about heart disease in women.

• Show your support in the fight against heart disease in women. Make a $5 donation to the American Heart Association and receive a limited edition 10th Anniversary pin.
• Wear red and receive 10% off your purchase
• All ‘red’ apparel is 20% off.

WALKING GROUP | Every Tuesday at 6:30PM for the month of February meet at Fleet Feet Sports Montclair (603 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair NJ) for a 30 to 40 minute walk. 

Walking, a low-impact activity, is one of the many ways to reduce risk of heart disease. Along with a healthy diet and eating right, it helps to reduce blood pressure, stress, and cholesterol, while increasing bone density, burning calories and providing cardiovascular benefits. It doesn’t take much to start walking except for a good fitting pair of sneakers, comfortable, moisture management clothing and 30 minutes a day. Additional tools that may be helpful are a pedometer and heart rate monitor. Before beginning a new exercise regime, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING | Tuesday, February 19 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM – Do you know your blood pressure reading and what it means? Receive counseling and educational material from the Community Health Department at Hackensack UMC Mountainside at the screening which will be held at Fleet Feet Sports Montclair.

HEART HEALTH TALKS - Cathy Scutti, Exercise Physiologist from the Community Health Department at Hackensack UMC Mountainside will address signs and symptoms of a heart attack, risk factors and provide resources on how to reduce risk of heart disease. Since heart disease can affect both sedentary AND active people, there will be two different talks, one each addressing the specific group. 

• Active Individuals | Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 6:00PM. Just prior to heading out for our regularly scheduled run, we will have a 15 minute talk.
• Sedentary Individuals | Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:00PM. Just prior to our February Group Walk, we will have a 2o to 30 minute talk.

Both talks will be held at Fleet Feet Sports Montclair.