After a day watching cricket and a hot-dog dinner three-year-ago, David Mutch returned home complaining his chest hurt.

Thinking not much of it, he continued with his evening.

Only after his wife recognised the signs and forced him to go to hospital did he realise he was having a heart "event."

Mr. Mutch was only 55-years-old when he got the message — eat healthier, reduce your stress and exercise or you will not be here to see your grandchildren.

Now at the age of 58, the father of three grown children, has not only accepted the message it has also become his calling as the new chairman of the Bermuda Heart Foundation.

He's not the only one on the revamped Foundation with a personal connection to the issue.

As part of the restructuring, almost all of the new members have either had a heart "event" themselves or they have been affected by one.

Mr. Mutch believes this personal connection to the issue will help propel the Foundation beyond the Heart Month, which begins today into its new focus of education and prevention in the community.

He said: "The new Bermuda Heart Foundation and board were heart patients themselves or directly related to them. We need, not only health care professionals, but also those affected.

"They have heard the message directly so there are different perspectives being brought in. I was impressed with the new strategic initiative of the Foundation to get involved in education and prevention and make a difference to the level of personal health in Bermuda and maintain that change."

In the past the foundation was generally involved in raising money for heart equipment giving more than $2m to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital cardiology unit between 1993 and 2004.

Now, Mr. Mutch and the board, want to ensure that everyone has access to the rehabilitation centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, is educated about the disease and that partnerships between organisations are created.

The new board is comprised of David Mutch, Chairman, Myrian Balitian-Dill, Deputy Chair, Cliff Morris, Treasurer, Doreen Blee, Secretary, Carl Daly and Jennie Watlington, Prevention Committee, Dr. Marion Watlington and Norma Smith, Medical Representatives, Naz Farrow and Catherine Kempe, Colonial Insurance Representatives, Jim Stroeder, IT and Doug Parker, Marketing.

Yesterday, Mr. Mutch said he also supported The Royal Gazette's Have a Heart Campaign and the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge because they are in-line with the new focus of the Bermuda Heart Foundation — partnership.

The chairman hopes this type of partnership will keep the issue of heart health alive and in the public conscience all year as the foundation launches it's Heart Month today.

February, which is designated Heart Month around the world, has multiple events planned including screenings, healthy cooking classes and international speakers. (see Heart Calender for events)

Myrian Balitian-Dill, former chair and new deputy, said Heart Month capitalises on the energy the public has in the New Year to get fit.

But with this year the difference will be the challenge to keep that energy going throughout the year.

She said: "This year it will be about making sure the beginning of the year when everyone wants to lose weight and is energized.

"With the new year and the news campaign and the 100 Day Challenge the 'Know you Numbers' screenings we are holding are really to keep track. It's about how do we keep people going?"

The other focus of this year's Heart Month is the number one killer in women — heart disease. Ms. Balitian-Dill said the problem with the disease in women is that it manifests itself so differently.

That is why the Foundation dedicated February 15 as: "Wear red for Women's Hearts."

Mr. Mutch added: "I do wish I hadn't waited to have a heart event to get the message. We want to make sure nobody else has to get there to change their lifestyles."