The Latest Mikey Network News

Thank you for making the 2019 Walk of Life a huge success!

We want to thank everyone that braved the rain to join us at the Walk of Life on May 25th, 2019. Team Mikey was more than 300 strong and despite the weather everyone had a great time!

The Walk of Life is our most important fundraiser of the year and helps us continue our mission to create public awareness and provide education about heart-healthy lifestyles, and place as many MIKEYs (AEDs) in as many places as possible. 

Click on the gallery below to enjoy some pictures from our Facebook page and if you haven’t “liked”us over there yet, please give that thumb a click. (You can view the photos even if you’re not logged into Facebook).

Walk of Life 2019 Photo Gallery

If you haven’t had a chance to donate to the Walk of Life yet, there is still time! 

Thanks again, Team Mikey. See you there next year!

How Being Outside Protects Your Heart

 

Daughter and Father boating on a mountain lake

Being inside all day under fluorescent lights is not a human’s natural environment, yet the North American lifestyle is as inactive as ever.

According to the American Heart Association: sedentary jobs have increased 83 percent since 1950. Physically active jobs now make up less than 20 percent of the U.S. workforce, down from roughly half of jobs in 1960.

“Sitting for long periods was associated with terrible health outcomes including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer.”

 

What Can People Do About This?

There is evidence that working out daily for a minimum of 30 minutes can counter these effects but for additional benefits go outside.

When you’re moving, your body, heart, lungs, and muscles, don’t know or care whether you are inside or outside, but your mind does. Your mental status and stress levels play a substantial role in health & heart issues.

 

The Benefits of Being Outside Include:

  • Improves short term memory
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Reduces Fatigue
  • Fights depression,  anxiety, and stress
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Improves your ability to focus
  • Enhances creativity

Take time out of your day and prioritize getting outside. Even a short walk around the block can have positive effects.

Elderly people being active, biking around nature

Take Action!

The most common excuse is “ I don’t have time.“ Everyone has time: if you work eight hours a day and sleep another eight, that gives you eight more hours every day that are unoccupied. So instead of watching the next Netflix episode, maybe go outside. You’ll be glad you did.

Be sure to join the Walk Of Life on May 25th! Register Now

Everyday Superfoods

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Eating Well, is a great source that informs you on ways that you can eat well on a daily basis. They have shared their top 10 super-foods that anyone can eat on a daily basis!

1.Berries:

Berries are a great source of fiber. Essentially, fiber keeps your digestive system and heart healthy.

2. Eggs:

Eggs are very nutritious. Not only do they have protein and give you the energy you need, but they also keep your eyes healthy.

3. Sweet Potatoes:

Yum! Sweet Potatoes keep your eyes, bones, and immune system healthy.

4. Broccoli:

Broccoli is packed with vitamins. It helps with bone health and stimulates your body’s detoxifying enzymes.

To check-out the rest of the Superfoods by Eating well, go to: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290550/10-everyday-superfoods/

There are plenty of Superfoods that you can eat everyday, to protect your heart-health and overall health. It only takes a few minutes to prepare for a lifetime of good health.

 

 

 

 

Interesting Heart Facts

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Healthline is a great website that has a list of interesting facts on all kinds of subjects. Of course, we think the most interesting list is the Heart Facts. Here’s just a sample of the cool things we’ve learned:

  1. The average heart is the size of a fist in an adult.
  2. Your heart will beat about 115,000 times each day.
  3. Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day.
  4. An electrical system controls the rhythm of your heart. It’s called the cardiac conduction system.
  5. The heart can continue beating even when it’s disconnected from the body.
  6. The giraffe has a lopsided heart, with their left ventricle being thicker than the right. This is because the left side has to get blood up the giraffe’s long neck to reach their brain.
  7. A woman’s heart beats slightly faster than a man’s heart.
  8. Death from a broken heart, or broken heart syndrome, is possible but extremely rare.
  9. The fairy fly, which is a kind of wasp, has the smallest heart of any living creature
  10. If you were to stretch out your blood vessel system, it would extend over 60,000 miles.

Visit https://www.healthline.com/health/fun-facts-about-the-heart#2 for more interesting heart facts!

Ways to Prevent Heart-Disease

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Although, genetics does plays a part in your overall heart-health, there are steps you can take to help lower the risk of heart disease. If you follow these 3 strategies you’ll be well on your way to a heart-healthy lifestyle.

1. Exercise for 30 minutes a few times a week

Daily exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. Exercising helps to keep you more energized, alert, and aids into your overall heart-health. If you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as, maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater.

2. Don’t smoke or use tobacco

If you smoke or use tobacco the risk factor for developing heart disease is significant. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack. When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe.

3. Eat a heart-healthy diet

Eating healthy is vital for protecting your heart-health. You can start by including fruits and vegetables in your diet. There is also a special diet known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). This is an eating plan which helps to protect your heart.

Following the DASH diet means eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, and salt. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, which can help protect your heart. Low-fat sources of protein such as, beans and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.

In order to prevent heart disease, it is important to take care of your heart-health!

Information is taken from Mayo Clinic