February is Heart Health month. Physical activity, in conjunction with healthy eating and no smoking make up the foundation of a heart healthy lifestyle. The following information and links should provide Physical Activity promoters with some ideas for events as well as materials to include in tip sheets, press releases and bulletin boards related to heart health and physical activity.

Real People Stories
People can reach people better than facts do…. You may find it useful to get some local stories of people who have become more active and have them explain how this change has benefited them. Your local Heart & Stroke Chapter and hospital cardiac rehabilitation staff may have some suggestions. Such stories can be featured on your website, in local newspapers or in bulletins. If they are comfortable with public speaking, these people can also be featured in community presentations and videos.

Many websites collect such stories. The Heart & Stoke Foundation of Canada has some "Survivor Stories" on its website (http://www.heartandstroke.ca/). Select Stroke OR Heart Disease and then Survivor Stories.

The following link (http://ww2.lifescan.com/care/stories/chenowith.html) will take you to the story of Donna Chenowith. This woman was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. She didn't let her health condition get worse. Instead, she learned about her disease and began to adjust her lifestyle. Such a story helps the public make the connection between diabetes and heart disease.

General Information

• Arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, thrombosis, cardiomyopathy, angina, etc… To demystify some of these terms and more, visit http://www.heartandstroke.ca/ and select Heart Disease, then Heart Conditions. The Heart & Stroke website also contains a large amount of information on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Research

• The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada has a simple brochure called "Just the Facts 2002/2003". You can find it quickly on their website (http://www.heartandstroke.ca/) by doing a search using the keywords "Just the Facts".
  
  
• The U.S. Report on Physical Activity and Health - Surgeon General U.S., 1996 contains a large number of research summaries on the links between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm). Chapter 4 on "The Effects of Physical Activity on Health and Disease" is particularly relevant and can be downloaded from the website.

Graphics
If you are preparing a display, bulletin or website, don't forget to make use of the free Health Canada pictures provided at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/photos/index.html. Under "Active Lifestyles", you will find some timely winter outdoor pictures.

Events
February is an obvious time of year to organize an event promoting heart health. Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday in 2004, which expands the possibilities. Here are some suggestions:

• A Valentine Fun Run where a couple's total race time determines their final standing. Such a "Twosome Run" is done in Kingston, Ontario through the Kingston Road Runners Association.
  
  
• A "Battle of the Sexes Challenge" where men and women are challenged to take part in fun fitness activities over a three hour period. This has been done in Huntsville as a fundraiser through the local Heart & Stroke Foundation chapter.
  
  
• A Valentine's Day dance. This is done in many communities across North America. A "skill-building" session to learn to jive or hip-hop can start the event. This is appropriate for almost any age!
  
  
• If you are a provider of physical activity opportunities (swim club, recreation centre, ski club, etc.) organize a "bring a friend day" with free passes and 2 for 1.
  
• Teachers may find some useful ideas at PE Central using the following link (http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/searchresults.asp?category=59)

Ontario Programs

• The Heart Health Resource Centre has a database containing many of the initiatives implemented by Heart Health coalitions in Ontario. To search the database, visit http://www.hhrc.net/resources/browse.shtml. For more information on recent initiatives, contact the Heart Health Resource Centre directly.

Tools & Resources

• The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada has an on-line tool to assess your risk for heart disease and stroke and create a personal action plan. You will find the link on their home page at http://www.heartandstroke.ca under "Your Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment".
  
  
• The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada has some audio and print files which can be downloaded and used in your local media. Visit http://www.heartandstroke.ca/ and select News/Media Room and then Downloads.
  
  
• For very specific physical activity recommendations, see the American College of Sports Medicine - Position Stand: "The Recommended Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness, and Flexibility in Healthy Adults" (June 1998). You can download it at http://www.acsm-msse.org/
  
  
• Many people already have cardiovascular disease, and advice is provided for their physicians in the book "Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Programs, American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)" (Fourth edition, 2004). Human Kinetics Publisher. ISBN: 0-7360-4864-2.

Key organizations & Websites

• Heart Health Resource Centre
  
• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
  
• American Heart Association (U.S.)
  
• Heartinfo.org (some commercial content) (U.S.)
  
• National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (U.S.)

Content is provided as an information-sharing service and inclusion does not represent endorsement by PARC, Ophea or their funders.
Funded by the Government of Ontario.