Healthy Living: StrongWomen – Healthy Hearts
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Through the StrongWomen – Healthy Hearts program, nutrition educator Diane Whitten meets weekly with women over 40 who are trying to reduce their risk of heart disease. While genetics and age are risk factors that can't be controlled, Whitten encourages women to change the things they can.
"Being overweight definitely is a risk factor for heart disease. A diet that's high in sodium which causes high blood pressure, a diet [that's] high in fat clogs the arteries and can cause heart disease," Whitten said. "The recommendation for physical activity is to get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity most days a week."
Participants actually exercise during class. The workout is casual -- no fancy gym clothes are needed and most women come straight from work.
"I enjoy it because it's a group of women that are like me, not worrying about going to a gym where everybody is a size two, and it's comfortable, and it's low impact," said participant Linda LaQue.
LaQue, who's had brothers that have had bypass surgery and died of heart attacks, says it's very important for her to stay on the right track.