My Family and Heart Disease
Heart disease, a phrase that I still hate hearing. My mother was diagnosed with heart disease at 40 years-old. She suffered a heart attack and a stroke all within hours of each other. I was away at school and had to hear about it on my voice mail. It was the hardest day of my life. I remember seeing my mother hooked up to all sorts of machines, wires every where. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
Fast forward 16 years and we’re still fighting it, only now I’m in line too. I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension about five years ago. I decided that I was going to watch my sodium intake and drink lots of water. For some reason that alone did not work, and as of yesterday I’m on medication. It’s scary, especially knowing that I’m only 29 and two weeks ago I was in the ER with a blood pressure reading of 227/157!
How Are You Becoming Heart Healthy?
Along with the medication I’m taking, I’ve lowered my sodium intake even more. I’ve bought even more whole grains and I’ve emptied my fridge and pantry of anything that is processed or high in sodium. You should have seen my trash cans this morning! I had picked up smoking again, and as of tomorrow I’m going to be wearing the Nicoderm Patch, so quitting is going to further help my blood pressure. I’ve let all my friends and family know that we won’t be eating out as often, and healthy is going to be the new me.
I don’t want to repeat my mother’s story. I am my mother’s daughter but I am NOT my mother. I’ve seen enough ICU’s and CCU’s to scare the living daylights out of me. My mom has two stents in her heart and has gone through four heart catherizations. Heart disease IS serious, but it took a trip to the ER for me to realize that it’s time to shape up or ship out, seriously! I’ve also bought Quaker Oats to have for breakfast. It’s natural and heart Healthy!
Quaker Oats, Heart Healthy?
Yes! Quaker Oats is healthy, it’s 
especially heart healthy! For over a century Quaker Oats has used natural whole grain oats to help feed America’s families. Whole grains is an essential part of staying healthy and keeping your heart strong. Many people, especially women, don’t eat enough “good carbs,” and whatever they do eat becomes stored in their body. These are called Triglycerides.
These “fats” while are good for you, become elevated if You don’t burn off the extra calories you eat. These cause your arteries and the walls around them to thicken bringing you at a greater risk for heart attacks, strokes, and yes, even heart disease.
How is Quaker Raising Awareness?
Quaker is teaming up with Super Sexy, Top Chef alumni Fabio Viviani. Why? To help get women inspired and excited about becoming heart healthy, and taking control of our lives! Check out this video to see how he’s going to help us take our hearts back!
What’s The Go Red for Women Movement?
It’s a movement brought to you by Quaker and the American Heart Association to help women take control of their lives, health, and more importantly their hearts. With a simple bowl of Quaker Oats, you can take the first step to achieve this! To help women get started on this movement Quaker and Fabio are bringing you the Epic Hot Breakfast Sweepstakes!
How To Enter Quaker’s Epic Hot Breakfast Sweepstakes?
Now this is the super easy part! All you have to do is watch the video and then Tweet about it with #QuakerLove between now and February 28! The grand prize is for a lucky winner and a guest to win a trip to Chicago and receive a spa treatment and dine at the Sienna Tavern.
Join In On the Movement!
Join us on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 8pm to 9pm for a Twitter Party. It will be hosted by @ResourcefulMom and @FabioViviani! Click here to RSVP
Connect With Quaker!
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**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Quaker Oats. A monetary compensation has been given to post this information, however all ideas, personal information, and experiences are 100% my own.**
Wow. You definitely need to do all that you can to get your blood pressure in check now. My dad died in his 40s from a heart attack.
Dawn
Dawn recently posted…Win a Red Gold and Tuttorosso Prize Pack! @RedGoldTomatoes #Shenanigans
Wow, I’m sorry you had such a scary wake-up call! I had severe preeclampsia with my son, and my doctor told me I’m at a higher risk for heart disease now. It’s scary stuff, but it sounds like you really took control of your health!
Nikki recently posted…Take Care of Your Heart With Practical Tips for a Healthy Heart
Omega 3 keeps the heart healthy and one of the most trusted brands in the world that contain Omega 3 on its product was Quaker. I was fond of it since I was a kid, until now. Besides from regular exercise, getting a healthy and balanced diet is perfect to keep your heart healthy.
Suzzie recently posted…Fresenius, Manufacturer of GranuFlo, Introduces New Dialysis Treatment