A diet in moderation, with portion control, reasonable caloric intake and a variety of nutritious foods, along with daily physical activity.
That’s the basic goal for coronary health, and the message shared by Florence cardiologist Dr. Ajit K. Naidu to senior citizens last Thursday at the third annual Go Red Luncheon, an event to promote awareness of heart health sponsored by the Foster Grandparent Program and the Franklin County Cooperative Extension System.
“When it comes to your diet, moderation is the key, along with some sort of physical activity,” Naidu said. “That’s what is best for your heart.”
Naidu leads the professional staff at the Cardiovascular Institute of the Shoals. Naidu was the first physician in northwest Alabama to offer radial artery cardiac catherizations and coronary interventions, laser varicose vein ablation and advanced techniques in peripheral vascular intervention. He spoke to a crowd of more than 150 seniors, most of whom were dressed in red, as part of the third annual Go Red event.
Naidu said that when it comes to heart health, too many people are reactive rather than proactive, often waiting until heart disease has done significant damage to their bodies.
“It’s an obvious problem, more of an educational problem than anything else,” Naidu said. “A lot of factors contribute to heart disease, and if you ignore those factors you get caught behind the eight ball.”
Naidu said there is no substitute for physical activity.
“It’s about doing more than you’re doing today,” he said. “People in America think taking a pill will change them, but it won’t. Heart health is like a grind and not something achieved in one day. The most important thing to do is to be happy, be alive and be active. It can be simple things like walking outside or walking around a mall. Just do something. Laying down and watching The Price is Right isn’t going to do it.”
Naidu said the biggest contributors to heart disease include smoking, hypertension elevated cholesterol and diabetes.
“If we could eliminate those, we’d eliminate 80 percent of heart disease,” Naidu said.
Sonya Faulkner, an RN, spoke about stress and its effects on the human body prior to lunch being served. Franklin County probate judge Barry Moore spoke briefly, as did Franklin County Extension coordinator Katernia Cole-Coffey.
“This event is all about women’s heart health,” Cole-Coffey said. “We’re trying to educate women about heart health and knowing the signs and risks. If you’re educated about it, you lower your risk of dying of heart disease and stroke.”
Jessica Latham, Foster Grandparent Program director, said the large turnout was a good sign that seniors were getting something beneficial out of the program.
“With our Go Red campaign, we encouraged everyone to wear red today,” Latham said. “We are very pleased with the response, and we had more than 150 people here today.”
