Tuesday's Telling: Are you heart aware?

My hu-mom just signed us up to walk in the Heart Association's Heart Walk.  She and my hu-man have had several friends lately who have been diagnosed with heart disease -- unfortunately in some cases, the diagnosis came too late.  As a result, she and my hu-man have both gone in and had their hearts (and health) checked at French Hospital, through their FREE "Heart Aware" program.  The program begins with an on-line questionnaire.  Once you have completed the questionnaire, you can immediately print out an assessment with suggestions for improving your heart health.  In addition, you have the option of signing up for a FREE 1/2-hour appointment with the nurse who coordinates the program.  She will give you a fasting cholesterol test, review your results, and discuss lifestyle changes/adjustments for improving/maintaining a healthy heart.  At the end of the evaluation, you have the option of taking a calcium CT scan  (cost was $99), to determine if there are any blockages or build up found in your arteries. 

Well, this is a "dog" blog, so I'm going to get to talking about dogs.  Did you know that dogs get heart disease too?  Yes, we have first hand experience with that one in our home.  Kip has heart disease.  We learned about it a couple of years ago -- about the same time he had a 10 lb. splenic tumor removed.  Kip used to walk 2-3 miles a day -- now he walks to the end of the block and back.  Sometimes that is even too much for him.  He takes multiple medications daily, which help keep his heart beating fairly strong and regular and reduce the fluid in his lungs and body.  We love Kip and are thankful for each and every day we have with him.

So, how do you know if your dog has heart disease?  DogTime posted an excellent article on heart disease in dogs.  To read it, click here.

There is much we can do to combat heart disease -- I know I and my hu-mom will be walking to support the cause.  If you would like to walk with us...or donate to the cause, please sign up on our Heart Walk Web Page --  As a thank you for your support, we will send you a FREE PawPrintArt card made with my paw print and my hu-mom's imagination (see above). 

Until next time, do all that you can to live HEART HEALTHY!  ~Zoe