That's Fit

The American Heart Association's Go Red campaign draws attention to heart disease in women. The organization recently announced the nine women that are going to be the faces of the campaign.

While having a celebrity promote a cause is inspiring, I think having real women -- women that could be your friends, sisters, neighbors -- is even more inspiring. Take 39-year-old Cathy for instance; she's an athlete but when her heart rate skyrocketed unexpectedly she went to the doctor and was later diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Or 53-year-old Patricia who underwent surgery after learning she had a severely blocked artery; while on the operating table she went into cardiac arrest and was miraculously revived. Their stories are going to be aired on NBC soon; AHA has an airtime schedule for your convenience.

You can also take inspiration from the seven real women that are the faces of AHA's Choose to Move fitness program.

Look at the person on your left. Now turn to the person on your right. Chances are, one of those people are on some sort of chronic prescription medication. For the first time ever, over half of Americans are.

You might think that this is good news, that all that medication means that pharmaceuticals have caught up with chronic conditions. But actually, say health experts, it means that America's health is in a downward spiral. Most of those meds are for conditions like coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

Experts say it's our couch potato mentality and drug company advertising that's gotten us into this position. What's worrisome is that children's use of prescribed medication is on the rise as well.

Small but healthy changes in lifestyle can mean disease prevention. If you haven't had a chance to join our Summer Quick Fix program, check it out today. Check out this healthy meal plan for some tips on better nutrition for your body.

Women are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. That's why it's even more important today to prevent one of the leading causes of death among women: heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over 65.

While most of the risk factors, signs and symptoms are the same in women as they are in men, there are unique aspects to women's heart health that are different, so it's important to get tested. And though many tests measure cardiac health, some are better at detecting disease in women.

According to MORE magazine, these are the tests that you should be asking for and why:

• Stress echocardiogram -- A stress echocardiogram uses ultrasound to show the heart's motion at rest and at peak exercise and is more accurate for women than conventionsl stress testing, which can lead to false positives in women.

Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

We all know the old wives' tale, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," but is it really true?

Well, it is the season, and we are all eating them, so we may as well find out just how good for us apples are.

High in vitamin C and antioxidants and soluble and insoluble fiber, the apple just may keep the cardiologist away, since these nutrients are so heart-protective. Apples even provide some sun protection when you eat them, so avoid a sunburn with an apple snack before you head outdoors and the dermatologist may be a doctor of the past.

Some tips to make sure you are getting the most from the apples you are eating: