Heart Disease Awareness Month

February marks Heart Disease Awareness Month.

It is fitting that February is donned this title since Valentine's Day falls on the 14th. But, a new kind of love is love for heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. In the world. You can check out this link to get more facts about the disease. Heart disease is not a joke. The things we eat, the things we do, stress, age, and family medical history all play roles in the development of heart disease. But, we can change it.

A diagnosis of heart disease does not mean that everything has ended. There are plenty of opportunities in various communities where public health agencies fight against this disease. We have so many resources that can help us combat this disease, including knowing your family history and making your chronological age older than your physiological age. That is, if you are 45 years of age perhaps your body feels and operates as if you are 30. Do not believe the hype that this result cannot happen. (See Eliminations and Limitations from October 2011) - saying you cannot do something means, well, you cannot do it.

Chronological Age
The best way to explain it is the easiest way to explain it: Chronological age is how old you are from the day you were born. Very simple. Therefore, development plays a key role because all of us develop in different ways through different experiences.

Physiological Age
This term is widely used in health and fitness. Typically, other individuals hear this phrase and look bewildered. But, physiological age is how old you are inside with subtle effects in your appearance. You know the scenario:

"How old are you?"
"35"
"Wow! You look 22!"

Evidence that physiological age is at work. Good genes play a factor as well in looking younger than your chronological age. But, your physiological age depends a lot on your physical activity and physical fitness levels. When your heart is exercised throughout life, your physiological age is complemented. When your heart is overworked via bad things going in your body or under-worked via not enough good things happening with your body, then other things issues arise, namely heart disease.

So, for February 2013, make this month a huge step toward a healthier heart. Make your steps last more than a week or for four weeks. Carry your change with you for the entire season and into the next one.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS                              TEEM Performance Training