What's YOUR RISK?

Regular physical activity is key to good cardiovascular health. A minimum of 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, plus a couple periods of more vigorous activity per week, will help your heart and lungs stay strong and healthy. Research suggests that moderate- intensity, low- impact activity, such as yoga, fast walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, tai chi, pilates, bowling and aqua aerobics are just as effective as high- impact activity, such as running, in lowering the risk of heart disease. Nutrition has powerful effects to create disease or protect against disease. However, the majority of us are still confused about what a healthy diet is to improve our health. A diet high in vegetables and fruit can reduce your risk. Reducing fast food and sugary drinks will help to lower your risk of heart disease. Eating well doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Heart Niagara can teach you the basics of healthy and delicious eating through our Cooking for a Healthier You classes. It is well established that smoking causes heart disease and cancer. Quitting smoking can be one of the most dramatic improvements you can make for your health. Research says no one wants to get cancer, lung disease or both. Research also shows that most people try to quit smoking several times before they succeed. If a relapse happens, think of it as practice for the next time you try to quit. Don’t give up your efforts if you fail to stay quit. Heart Niagara's smoke cessation program will help you stay quit! The consequences of sudden cardiac arrest can be dire and every minute counts. Do you have the skills and confidence to save a life? What if it is a loved one who goes into cardiac emergency? School, workplace, and community placements of 500 plus automated external defibrillators ( AEDS) throughout the region, have made Niagara a safer place to live. Heart Niagara is here to help; find out about CPR, First Aid and AED training.