Inactive Newtowners Urged To

‘Get Wet’ And ‘Go Red’ During Heart Month

By John Voket

Newtown Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert have a refreshing idea to get inactive Newtowners off the couch this February — get wet at a free community open swim.

“This winter is challenging us in many ways — lots of changed schedules; lots of snow; limitations on activities,” Ms Culbert observed. “What’s a person to do?”

With the Newtown High School pool open for swimming, and the start of February, National Heart Month, Ms Culbert and Ms Mangold are collaborating on ideas to help improve Newtown’s heart health.

Ms Culbert pointed out that the American Heart Association(AHA) is working toward the goal of improved health by educating the public. She recommends Newtown residents consider learning about an AHA initiative called “Life’s Simple Seven,” measures that have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes. Visit www.heart.org for more information.

“The steps are not expensive to take, and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference,” the Health District official said, suggesting Newtown residents start with step one: get active.

The Parks & Recreation Department is helping to that end by making opportunities for swimming more inviting, even during the chilliest days of February.

According to Ms Culbert, swimming is the third most popular sports activity in the United States and a good way to get aerobic activity. Just two and half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses.

This can also lead to improved health for people with heart disease and diabetes. Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people.

People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land, and they can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or muscle pain.

Water-based exercise can also benefit people with chronic diseases, Ms Culbert noted.

“For people with arthritis, it improves use of affected joints without worsening symptoms,” she said. People with rheumatoid arthritis also have more health improvements after participating in hydrotherapy than with other activities. Water-based exercise also improves the use of affected joints and decreases pain from osteoarthritis.

For those with the February blues, swimming can improve mood in both men and women. For people with fibromyalgia, it can decrease anxiety and exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood.

Water-based exercise can improve the health of mothers and their unborn children and has a positive effect on the mother’s mental health. Parents of children with developmental disabilities find that recreational activities, such as swimming, improve family connections.

Exercising in the NHS pool can also benefit older adults by improving the quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of postmenopausal women.

Exercising in water offers many physical and mental health benefits and is a good for people who want to be more active. When in the water, remember to protect yourself and others from illness and injury by practicing healthy and safe swimming behaviors.

Visit Newtown Park and Recreation website for more info on the free community open swim: www.newtown-ct.gov/public_documents/NewtownCT_Park/index.

American Heart Month

In related news, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and many of its partners, including the Connecticut Division of the American Heart Association, are observing American Heart Month in February.

According to health officials, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer in the nation and it is important that people do what they can to keep their hearts healthy. The public can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by taking steps like eating healthy, exercising regularly, quitting tobacco use, and getting regular health screenings.

Since 1963, Congress has required the president to proclaim February “American Heart Month.”

The American Heart Association works with the administration to draft and sign this annual proclamation.

On Friday, February 4, people around the nation are encouraged to “Go Red for Women.”

Every year, the American Heart Association asks people to wear red on National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease in women. Cardiovascular disease, a largely preventable disease, kills approximately 500,000 women each year.

More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women website contains many resources for helping women make heart-healthy choices every day. GoRedForWomen.org provides numerous resources, including:

*Go Red BetterU: A free 12-week online makeover that can change your life.

*Go Red Heart CheckUp: An online tool that provides a ten-year, personal heart disease risk assessment.

*Women are Speaking Up: Hear from women who are sharing their stories and speaking up for women’s heart health nationwide and sharing their healthy choices.

*Consumer Education: Educational materials such as cookbooks, brochures, bookmarks, posters, Web alerts, etc.

For more information about Life’s Simple Seven and the Go Red movement, visit www.heart.org.