Hodge enthusiastic about heart walk

Brenda Hodge (T-G Photo by Kay Rose) [Click to enlarge]

Because she cares -- about friends, family and colleagues -- Brenda Hodge has volunteered to co-chair the 11th Annual Bedford County Heart Walk, coming up Saturday, Oct. 29.

"The American Heart Association Heart Walk is very important to me due to personal and professional reasons," asserts Hodge. "I saw my father, Floyd Collins, struggle with cardiovascular disease (CVD) for years. My mother, Mary Collins, suffers from congestive heart failure, but it is being controlled with medication."

Add to that her Christian family, fellow members of Bird Street Church of Christ, along with her colleagues at Alcan Packaging, and her enthusiasm about such fund-raising efforts as the heart walk is easily understood.

In fact, that enthusiasm has inspired Alcan officials, where Hodge is Human Resource manager, to support the walk as a gold sponsor. Additionally, AHA "hearts" are being sold throughout the plant with funds raised going toward the company's team of walkers -- headed by Hodge.

Because of her own family history, Hodge is well aware that her chances of heart disease is increased.

Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.

"My father's doctor [the late Fred Ownby] told him that most of his disease was due to heredity and smoking. He died in 1985 in his patrol car [Collins was a Shelbyville policeman] from a massive heart attack," Hodge says. "My uncle, Parks Collins, later died also after having by-pass surgery."

Cardiovascular diseases rank as the No. killer of African Americans, claiming the lives of 37 percent of nearly 286,000 blacks who die each year. About four in every 10 non-Hispanic black adults have CVD. This includes diseases of the heart, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital heart defects, hardening of the arteries and other diseases of the circulatory system.

"I will probably have to deal with congestive heart disease at some point in my life," says Hodge. "I stress to my children the need to watch their diet and exercise. They lost their paternal grandmother, Rosalee Hodge, a few months ago to heart disease. I am a registered nurse, so I have witnessed the effects of heart disease."

The AHA views physical fitness as a journey -- a way of life -- not a destination. Making physical activity part of everyday life can improve the way one looks, feels and works. In addition, physical activity can help lower the risk of heart attack and control weight and blood pressure.

"It is important that everyone gets yearly checkups, blood work, and diet instructions," stresses Hodge. "Prevention is so important."

The chances of saving a life and reducing disability from heart disease and stroke are better than ever because of medical research over the last five decades. Much of this breakthrough reserach is due, in large part, to the efforts of the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association depends on such events as the annual heart walk to create funds for scientific research and educational programs teaching people how they can reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

The AHA's investment in research has yielded impressive dividends. Such modern medical milestones as CPR, bypass surgery, pacemakers, surgical techniques to repair heart defects and life-extended drugs all had their origins in AHA-funded research.

Those interested in forming a team and being a sponsor should call co-chairman Kathy Young at 680-4130 or the AHA at (615) 340-4100. This year's walk will begin at 9 a.m.; registration is at 8 a.m.