A heart for life, love and adventure Get the most out of every day by making time for good health and great romance (and don’t forget to have a little fun, too!)

It's no accident that February is American Heart Month. With thoughts of Valentine's Day swirling about, little red hearts are popping up everywhere. Some are fun and cute, silly reminders that life is full of surprises — and we'd be foolish not to jump at a few.
Others are more serious, to get us thinking about doing the things we need to do to make sure we're around to enjoy the fun.
We'll walk your through some of the best advances in heart health, then lead you across the state to some of Virginia's most romantic getaways. We'll wrap it up with easy in-town options for rekindling the spark in your life. No matter what you chose, remember that life is as fun as you make it. If ever you're going to love a moment, make it this month!

Have a healthy heart
  Heart disease is the nation’s leading killer. That’s no surprise: Most senior citizens are well aware of the risks and the symptoms. Unfortunately, many people don’t pay attention until it’s too late.
  But there’s good news. A number of new techniques allow for earlier detection and easier treatment of common heart problems.
  Some of these were highlighted at recent seminars by the Bon Secours Heart and Vascular Institute.
Take, for example, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring, which can predict a heart attack years before it happens.
  That means looking at the coronary arteries, where plaque can build up for years before it ruptures and causes a heart attack. The amount of coronary calcium can indicate a higher risk long before traditional tests, such as the stress test.
  A positive result does not equate to a death sentence. It gives patients a chance to exercise more, change their diet, take a daily aspirin and other preventative measures.
  For patients already facing heart problems, new treatment options offer increased comfort and recovery time.
  Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart problems in Americans. Traditional treatments have included medication and electric shocks to the heart. But today, radio-frequency ablation, which involves burning minute sections of the heart that disrupt the current of a regular heartbeat, could lead to a permanent fix.
  Another up-and-coming area is robotic surgery. Until recently, if a patient had a sternotomy, or an opening of the chest cavity for surgery, he would face restrictions on driving and exercising for at least a month. By contrast, a patient who had robotic surgery would have only a small incision, rapid healing time and no restrictions.
  Recent advances in cardiac care can help prevent and treat conditions early and efficiently. For patients, that means a better quality of life and a return to doing the things they love.

Have a healthy love life

Looking to put some sizzle back in your love life? A quick trip might do the trick.
  So where are the most romantic places in Virginia?
  Tamra Talmadge-Anderson at the Virginia Tourism Corporation gets asked that a lot.
  “Several things come to mind,” she says. “In the winter, whale watching tours at Virginia Beach, where you’re on the ocean, on a boat, watching the majestic humpback whales. There are regular tours out of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
  Want something a little cozier? Talmadge-Anderson loves Virginia’s historic hotels and inns. “There’s the Jefferson, the Homestead, the Tides Inn, the Hotel Roanoke and more,” she says. “These Grande Dame inns cater to romance, especially for boomer couples.”
  Look for romance packages that includes upscale dinners, champagne, flowers or strawberries, she advises.
  Wineries, too, can make for a romantic trip. “They’re beautiful destinations,” says Talmadge-Anderson. Many have restaurants or entertainment on site, and some have lodging on site.
   Check out www.virginia.org for many more romantic travel suggestions.
Many places offer special rates and packages during the winter months, so that trip you thought would be prohibitively expensive might be a possibility in the off season.
And sometimes armchair travel and dreams of exotic locales can be enough to get your heart racing.

Playing Together, Staying Together

Want to take care of your heart and keep the romantic spark alive?
  There are a number of activities that can keep you healthy and perhaps rekindle the romance in your life.
  If you’re looking for love, it might be a great way to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Another added bonus: Staying healthy doesn’t have to cost much.
  One of the simplest ways to exercise the body and spirit is to get outside and hike. The James River Park System has numerous trails. There are plenty of other parks in the area to explore.
Want to try something a little further out, staff at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports on West Broad Street recommend some of their favorite spots along Skyline Drive that aren’t too strenuous but offer spectacular views. There’s Ivy Creek at milepost 77.5, Lost Mountain Loop at milepost 79.5 and Calvary and Chimney Rocks at milepost 90. You can pack or picnic or opt for a romantic lunch at one of the lodges along the way.
Learning a new activity can be fun and make for some entertaining memories. How about fencing, rowing or yoga? All are great for your body – and for your social life. Local clubs offer beginner courses that are reasonably-priced and don’t require a long commitment.
Another way to be together is to find a stress-relieving activity that will last a lifetime. Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Tamra Talmadge-Anderson suggests taking a class together.
  “If you share a passion for art or for music, you can go to the Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd and take a class. You can go to the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax and learn to play the mandolin. If you like cooking, check out the Coopers Landing in Clarksville, where they have great cooking classes.”
  Of course, you don’t have to travel out of town to spend quality time together. Several local cooking schools offer courses in preparing healthy meals. Or you could head out to the book store – together – and pick out a cookbook, then go home and make something together.