AFMC to observe American Heart Month in February Published Jan. 31, 2012 By Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- February is American Heart Month and a good time to educate ourselves on how to prevent heart disease. Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, is the No. 1 cause of death for men and women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every 25 seconds an American citizen will have a coronary event, and every week more than 10,000 Americans will die from a coronary episode. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease by: · Maintaining healthy weight · Controlling blood pressure · Knowing your numbers · Limiting the amount of dietary fat, cholesterol and alcohol consumed · Exercising regularly · Managing stress · Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke To help prevent heart disease and increase awareness of heart healthy lifestyle habits, Civilian Health Promotion Services and the Health and Wellness Centers will be conducting heart healthy activities during American Heart Month. Activities will include: · Cholesterol, hypertension, and other heart healthy education classes · Cardiac Risk Profile Screenings (for Department of Defense civilians only) · Blood Pressure Screenings (for everyone) · The Heart and Sole Walking Initiative During the month of February, Air Force Materiel Command will be promoting its Heart and Sole Walking Initiative. This initiative involves the use of the AFMC Wellness Support Center website -- www.AFMCWellness.com -- and the 10,000 Steps a Day program. The goal of the initiative is to log steps into the 10,000 Steps a Day program five days a week during the month, with a goal of reaching 200,000 total steps. Individuals who complete the task will receive a travel fitness kit. The Heart and Sole Walking initiative is open to all active duty military and appropriated-funded AFMC civilian employees. To sign up for the Heart and Sole Walking Initiative, visit www.AFMCWellness.com or call Amanda Shive, with Tinker's CHPS office, at 734-4645 for more information.