Savannah Stagg

     When I was young, my grandfather had a heart attack. He was such an important part of my life that I have never forgotten the depth of fear that I felt as he fought for his life. We were both fortunate that his life was spared, but the event changed us all. I knew it was so preventable and I knew I wanted to help him and others take all possible steps to avoid potential tragedy due to preventable heart problems.

Statistics show that roughly 1.2 million heart attacks occur each year in America, and more than forty percent of those people die. While one in thirty women dies of breast cancer, one in three dies of cardiovascular disease. So where do we begin? I believe we have to focus on educating children and young adults and provide them with ways to reduce their risk of heart disease. If healthy lifestyles are developed early on in life, heart health is more than a possibility; it becomes a probability.

     This year I have been privileged to serve in a program at my school called STARS (Serving Today’s At-Risk Students). In this class, I have been able to incorporate all that I have learned about heart health as I taught a seven week course on healthy eating and healthy habits to elementary students. It is easy to think programs like this can’t make a difference, but one of my students shared with me that she had asked her mother to begin buying healthier groceries as a result. She said she had learned that healthy food is delicious and that exercise can be fun! Hopefully, she is on a path to a healthier heart and life.

Other ways that I have shared THE BEAT GOES ON include:

 *Participating in the Heart Ball Sweetheart Program to bring awareness to heart health

 *Raising $800 for the American Heart Association

 *Partnering with “I Can! Dance” to serve children with special needs, including those with heart health issues  *Volunteering at the Lanterns Ceremony for the Race for the Cure, Muscular Dystrophy Muscle Walk, and  *Alzheimer’s Walk at the Little Rock Zoo.

 *Interning at St. Vincent Hospital’s Jack Stephens Heart Center

 *Becoming a frequent Miracle League Volunteer

By understanding healthy habits at an early age, patterns can be developed that have the potential to greatly reduce the tragic statistics of poor heart health. Wise food choices give us all the building blocks to health. When you couple that with regular exercise, good health is within reach. By eating the right foods and finding a fun way to exercise by walking, dancing, or simply doing chores around the house, anyone can reap the benefits of an active life and develop a healthy lifestyle. Rather than leave things to chance, it is time for my generation to take control of their diets and get moving so we can wipe out heart disease in our lifetime. When we keep our bodies fit and our hearts healthy and active, THE BEAT GOES ON!