February is Heart & Stroke month. Canvassers will be coming door to door for donations, please give from your heart.

The local Heart & Stroke Foundation will hold an event from February 9^th –14^th at Region 7 Hospital. There will be a large information display covering various topics dealing with heart disease, stroke, diet, exercise, cholesterol and much more. This is your opportunity to drop by, pick up some free pamphlets and get the information you need.

Throughout the year there are events and seminars concerning heart and stroke.

"Living with Stroke" provides an education and support program for individuals who have had a stroke as well as their partner, relatives or close friend. The goal is to increase everyone’s understanding and enhance recovery by learning about the disease. This program is available two times per year at the Region 7 hospital. Interested participants should contact the Social Work Department to register.

"Heart to Heart" is an 8-week program to help patients who have had a heart attack deal with the disease. "You are a survivor, not a victim!" Guest speakers discuss various topics to help people with their recovery.

The Miramichi Heart Support Group meets at 7pm the second Tuesday of the month at Region 7 Hospital. Meetings are a sharing of facts and teach Heart Smart ideas. Various guests speak on heart disease and related issues.

"February is time to reflect on our heart health and make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle," said Jake van der Laan, the Heart and Stroke Foundation's President.

The overwhelming majority of Canadians are at risk for cardiovascular disease and New Brunswickers are doing worse than most of the country. Smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the risk factors contributing to heart disease and stroke.

"What is really alarming is the fact that we are seeing these risk factors in our children and youth," said Mr. van der Laan.

"We can turn this around, but it is going to take a lot of work and a serious commitment on a personal level as well as on the part of policy makers," he said.

To learn more about the risk factors visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada website or the New Brunswick page. The Foundation website also has a great deal of information and resources about healthy active living to help you improve your heart health.