Healthy hearts require some work, humor

 SHEPHERDSVILLE – It was a mixture of humor and seriousness.

Thomas Barr

Registered nurse Peggy Combs brought a special brand of humor and music to the stage in Paroquet Springs Conference Centre as she was the keynote speaker during the Healthy Hearts Wear Red luncheon. Combs talked about some of the ways to achieve healthy living standards and she also sang to get her points across.

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It was a time to share some stories and gain a little insight into the country’s leading cause of death.

It was the annual Healthy Hearts Wear Red luncheon, held last week at Paroquet Springs Conference Centre.

The event, sponsored by the Bullitt Health Department, focuses on heart disease and possible ways to avoid it.

Peggy Combs, the featured speaker, used humor, experience and a little music to drive home wisdom she gained from her years of service as a registered nurse.

She said that everyone has two things in their life – a heart and stress.

And too much stress can lead to problems with your heart.

Her mother died from a heart attack and heart disease runs in her family. She knows the dangers it brings.

One of the major causes of heart disease is stress. She said while some stress might be good, too much can be fatal.

If it is chronic, it can lead to physical and mental issues.

“We all respond differently,” Combs said of stresses such as bereavement, financial woes, job loss, relationship issues or family issues.

Stress can lead to things such as high blood pressure that could lead to heart attacks or strokes.

“Stress is not going away so we have to find a way to manage your stress,” said Combs.

Having a list of 101 ways to relieve stress, Combs said things like taking a vacation, having positive thoughts, spending time with positive people, taking one day at a time, sleep, laughter and having a smile are all steps which can help.

“Never ever give up,” Combs said in the daily battle against stresses in life. “Push through struggles every day.”

As a closing, she said that desserts is simply the word stressed spelled backwards and it is more fun to enjoy sweets than to worry about stress.

Along with Combs, the day featured a series of models, all of whom had stories to tell of their survival of heart disease or of their care for someone who have suffered.

Fashions were provided by Dillards.

Dance and exercise demonstrations were given by Dance with Steve and Donna.

Booths were open to visitors and lunch was served.

Over $1,000 was raised for the American Heart Association during the luncheon.