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.
