Heart Disease

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Alexander "Xander" Green inspired Nathan and Alice Green to walk in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk this year. Xander, 1, the Greens' first grandchild, had open-heart surgery six weeks after he was born. "He survived," said Nathan Green, 56, of Waynesboro, Pa. "He's so healthy now. It's like he didn't miss a beat. " The Franklin/Fulton County division of the American Heart Association will host the Heart Walk on Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Tayamentasachta Environmental Center in Greencastle, Pa. More than 65 teams are expected to participate, said Sharon Strike, spokeswoman for a local chapter of the American Heart Association (AHA)

February is Heart Health Month, so do something good for your heart before the month is over. Take time to examine eating and lifestyle patterns that affect the overall health of your heart. Heart disease is any disease that affects the heart or blood vessels. Though much effort has been made to make people aware of causes and prevention, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in America for both men and women. In fact, heart disease kills someone every 33 seconds in the U.S. - that is about 2,600 people a day. Many factors affect a person's risk of heart disease.

Valentine's Day Valentine's Day - the day for lovers - is coming up next Tuesday. The stores are full of pink and red decorations. But red is also the color for those who wish to be aware of women's heart health! Heart disease is the number one killer of women - more than breast cancer, more than diabetes! Most of us know the habits and choices that lead to heart health - diet, exercise, non-smoking. We also know the factors that contribute to heart disease - high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol.

Heartfelt words Just two more days of January, and then we slide right into fickle - but fun - February! Here's a heartfelt reminder that February is American Heart Month. Many schools are participating in the Jump Rope for Heart event this month that benefits the American Heart Association's research and educational programs to fight heart disease. Please show your support by making a pledge with a participating student. The American Heart Association offers these important steps to help reduce your risk for heart disease: eat a sensible diet; avoid weight gain; schedule physical activity and exercise; stop smoking - or especially, don't start; get regular medical checkups; and make a healthy lifestyle a priority in your family's life.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in Franklin County. Cardiovascular disease is second only to accidents in killing those younger than 15. Sunday afternoon, about 500 people took a walk in the park - and around Greencastle - to try to change that. Walkers met at Tayamentasachta Environmental Center for the 12th annual American Heart Association Heart Walk, presented by World Kitchen Inc. The goal for the walk was $125,000 for research, public education and public advocacy, according to Sharon Strike, corporate events director for the Heart Association.

Tammy Cornman, LPN from Summit Health, appeared at Menno Village Chapel in Chambersburg, Pa., on Aug. 10 to discuss heart disease and its effects, especially on women. Cornman's message highlighted that heart disease is the number one killer of women and the most important facts women need to know are to become educated about your heart and talk to your doctor about your risks. "Many think breast cancer is the number one concern for women, but in actuality it is heart disease.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -Two-year-old Zackary Reynolds clapped enthusiastically after his mother spoke Thursday at the kickoff for the Franklin/Fulton Heart Walk, perhaps too young to realize how money raised for heart research made his life possible. "It's because of associations like this that I was able to have two beautiful sons," said Jamie Reynolds, the Red Cap spokeswoman for the Sept. 25 American Heart Association Heart Walk in Greencastle, Pa. Red caps worn by participants in the 4-mile walk signify they are survivors or relatives of those who have had heart disease or strokes.

January is the month when millions of Americans resolve to get into shape. Gyms and fitness centers are crowded with exercisers - and diet ads flood the media. It's easy to create grandiose resolutions that too often are fleeting. For long-term success, slowly phasing moderate changes into one's current lifestyle might be more beneficial. Here are five suggestions that can easily be incorporated into your dietary plan and are sure to get you started on the road to good health: · Get your five-a-day.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE, Pa. - More walkers and more corporate participation resulted in a lot more money for the 11th annual American Heart Walk, which raised approximately $93,000 Sunday, organizers said. The amount raised was $18,000 above the $75,000 goal set by the Franklin/Fulton Division of the American Heart Association and much more than the $54,000 raised last year, according to Sharon Strike, the division's director of corporate events. Last year, about 365 people registered for the 4.8-mile walk that begins and ends at the Tayamentasachta Environmental Center.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.. - "It's Personal," the theme for this year's American Heart Association Heart Walk, is one that resonates with Jamie Reynolds of Chambersburg. A registered nurse and mother of a 2-year-old boy, Reynolds was a patient rather than a healer 15 years ago when her heart was damaged by a viral infection. What was first thought to be a sinus infection progressed from shortness of breath to severe chest pains. "I could feel my heart racing," she said.