Show Your Heart 2011 Photo Gallery

• Click here to view photos from the 2010 Show Your Heart event.
• Click here to view photos from the 2011 Show Your Heart event.

Be Smart - Know Your Heart:

Quit Smoking:
According to the American Heart Association, diseases caused by smoking kill more than 440,000 people in the United States each year. Of that number more than 135,000 deaths are cardiovascular related. In 2004 the American Heart Association established the Go Red for Women campaign. Statistics were showing that nearly 500,000 American women died due to cardiovascular disease each year. Today, cardiovascular disease is known as the #1 killer of women in the U.S.

The FACTS:

• Cigarette smoking produces a greater risk of coronary heart disease in people younger than 50 years.
• Cigarette smokers are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than non-smokers.
• Cigarette smoking doubles a person's risk of stroke.
• Cigarette smoking increases your heart rate, raises your blood pressure and reduces blood flow to vital organs.

Exercise:

• It's recommended to take part in 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity 3-5 days a week. Aerobic and muscle strengthening.
• If you're just starting to exercise start out slow and gradually work your way to a vigorous workout.
• Be sure to start off your activity with a good warm-up to loosen the muscles and reduce the chance of injury and remember to stretch after the activity.

Reduce High Blood Pressure:
Exercising regularly, reducing salt intake, eliminating cigarettes and managing stress can help control blood pressure.

Maintain a Healthy Diet:
Maintain a healthy and consistent weight by eating more fruits vegetables. Be conscious of the fat, sugar, and cholesterol intake. Remember a calorie is a calorie. High Fat foods generally have more calories than foods that are high in carbohydrates or protein.

Remember to:

• Eat breakfast
• Drink plenty of water and don't drink your calories
• Choose the leanest cut meats

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 65% of US adults are overweight. South Carolina, alone, is ranked 10th in the nation for obesity level.

Reduce alcohol intake. Drink limited amounts of alcohol, if at all. Excessive drinking can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and stroke.