Signs of heart disease in three-year-olds? A study on this came out last year. Now, another report finds the same thing – that obese children as young as three have higher levels of C-reactive protein, a sign of inflammation and heart disease risk. How disturbing is that?

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We already know that high fat diets, especially those with artery-clogging trans fats, are bad for the heart. Now a new large study finds eating a lot of fat can dramatically raise the risk of stroke for women over 50. The reports shows those who ate the most fat had a 44 percent higher risk of the most common type of stroke compared to those who ate the least.

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I owe it to all the women out there who’ve lost their lives to heart disease, including my mom. I owe it to all the women who don’t know heart disease is their number one killer. And I owe it to everyone who cares about them. That’s why I’m proud to be a part of Blog Your Heart Out Day – a day to speak up about women and heart disease, sponsored by the American Heart Association and fitlosophy. I sincerely hope it helps someone… somewhere.

Here’s something that can definitely help – knowing the symptoms of a heart attack. Sometimes heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Often, women having a heart attack aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before they get help.

These signs will help you recognize if you or someone you know is having a heart attack:

• Discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body

• Shortness of breath

• Other signs of discomfort like breaking a cold sweat, nausea and lightheadedness

If someone has signs of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately (within 5 minutes). If they are not responsive or stop breathing, an AED should be used (if available) or CPR should be performed, in addition to calling 9-1-1.

Source: American Heart Association

Bloggers, will you help me spread the word today? Learn more here.

Plus get on Twitter and Tweet and ReTweet away, using the hashtag #BlogYourHeartOut.

Thank you… with all my heart!

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Many women think of it as a “man’s disease.” Heart disease is the number one killer of men, but it is also the leading killer of women. It took my mother’s life several years ago, and my dad has had a heart attack, so I take it very seriously. I know I can’t control my genes, but I can control my lifestyle. As healthy as I try to be, there’s always room for improvement, so for the next 12 weeks, I’m committing myself to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) BetterU program.  Will you join me?

The BetterU program is part of the AHA’s Go Red for Women campaign. It’s basically a FREE 12-week online nutrition and fitness makeover. Every week, you will focus on something new to help you get healthier.

And during the next 12 weeks, I’m teaming up with other bloggers to spread the word about the BetterU program through the BLOG YOUR HEART OUT campaign, sponsored by fitlosophy (meet the blogging team here!).

So let’s do this together – sign up for the BetterU program here, get healthier, and have some fun along the way! Again, it’s FREE!

Oh, and if you aren’t already wearing red, go put some on now – it’s National Wear Red Day – so Go Red to show your support for the fight against heart disease in women.

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Besides all the great stuff you’ll find here on FFTV, check out these links to other must-read diet and fitness finds around the Web:

Go Red for Women and get a free Red Dress Pin – American Heart Association

Boogie until you drop – dance workout DVDs reviewed – Fit Bottomed Girls

5 Super Bowl food makeovers – Cooking Light

Best treadmills and ellipticals – Consumer Reports

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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The strides we’ve made in the U.S. in cutting cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking may be in jeopardy. A new report says that’s because the high obesity rates are stalling the progress, and heart disease will kill around 400,000 Americans in 2010. Researchers say about half of those deaths could be averted if people ate healthier food and quit smoking.

We can do this, right?

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I know, I know. Just in time for those weekend indulgences, a new study finds eating fatty food seems to take its toll – almost immediately – on our short-term memory and exercise performance.  Of course, we already know that eating a high-fat diet can eventually lead to weight gain, heart disease and hurt our memory and other mental functions. But the new research shows indulging in fatty foods over a period of a few days can affect the brain and body long before you pack on those extra pounds.

Want more News Nuggets? Follow me on Twitter!

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Here’s more proof of how the obesity epidemic is hurting our kids. New research shows obese children as young as seven have high levels – up to 10 times the normal amount – of compounds linked to heart disease and heart attacks. Other studies have shown signs of heart disease in even younger kids.

Want more News Nuggets? Follow me on Twitter!

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The NFL may be filled with athletes, but a new study finds many of them have high blood pressure and the biggest linemen may be at risk of heart disease and diabetes. Researchers say 91 percent of the largest players have high blood pressure or pre-hypertension. And 78 percent of the smallest players have higher than normal blood pressure compared with 30 percent of men aged 24 to 35 in the general population.

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Here’s a heart healthy brunch recipe that’s perfect for Mother’s Day… or whenever your heart desires. It’s from WomenHeart’s ALL HEART Family Cookbook and ToastToWomen.com – a website created by Clos du Bois Winery and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease – to support women’s heart disease awareness.

Before we get to the recipe, check out how you can help. Visit ToastToWomen.com and send someone a free, personalized eToast. For every eToast sent, Clos du Bois will donate $1 to WomenHeart. So toast away! Now on to this mouthwatering, healthy recipe…

Asparagus Frittata

A lower-fat Canadian bacon is a great way to add some smoky meat flavor to this open-faced omelet – without all the fat and cholesterol of bacon or ham.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into thin strips
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-1/2 cups egg substitute
1 cup shredded low-fat Jarlsberg cheese

Directions:
Preheat the broiler. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, bacon and asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and cook for another minute. Stir in the egg substitute and 3/4 cup of the cheese. Cook, without stirring, for 5 minutes longer, or until the
bottom is lightly browned.

If your skillet is not heatproof, wrap the handle with foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheese over the frittata. Broil 6” from the heat for 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the frittata is set.

Serves 6

Heart healthy ingredients: 4

Per serving: 161 calories, 71 calories from fat, 8 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 4 g monounsaturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 347 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 16 g protein

GETTING INTO THE THICK OF IT
If pencil-thin asparagus isn’t available or you prefer it thick, go ahead and buy the larger spears (they’re delicious grilled). Just snap off the woody ends and use a potato peeler to remove the tough outer layer and reveal the tender insides. (Not to worry; nearly all of the heart healthy benefits are stored inside.)

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