The first in a series of four lectures designed to promote healthy hearts will be held tonight as a month of activities gets underway in recognition of Heart Month.

Sponsored by the Bermuda Heart Foundation, the Cardiac Resource Group will host four presentations, starting this evening at the conference room on the first floor at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at 7pm.

The presentation by cardiac nurse specialist Myrian Dill this evening will focus on the theme “Understanding your Implantable Heart Device”. It is a subject two members of the Cardiac Resource Group understand all too well.

Both Reginald White and Hubert Jones stressed the importance of knowing your family’s medical history before serious health problems arise.

Mr White underwent a triple bypass procedure in 1977.

When the diagnosis was made he said he didn’t think his family had a history of heart disease, but as it turned out, they did. “I wasn’t aware of it then because when you don’t have it you don’t think about it, but I’m aware of my family’s history of it now,” said Mr White.

He absolutely agreed that the heart, like most things that are priceless, tend to be taken for granted.

“My diet has changed considerably, I eat very little meat, I eat fish and chicken, vegetables and fruit. But it won’t put right what’s been wrong but it won’t get any worse hopefully,” he said.

“I would encourage everyone to look back into their family history to see what health issues were there, it’s very important,” he added.

“I found out that my grandfather had engine and my father had problems as well. But I never really got into that until I had problems and so you can’t start too early.”

He noted that one of the quotes repeated often in their support group meetings is “you’re never too young to get a broken heart”.

“There’s no such thing as an instant heart attack it takes years of practice,” he said.

His support group colleague Mr Jones, received a pacemaker eight years ago after he suffered a heart attack that was detected by Dr Shane Marshall.

“I wasn’t even aware that I had a heart attack, I don’t know when it happened, it’s called a silent heart attack. My initial reaction was one of disbelief,” he said.

Since then he has been back to Johns Hopkins Hospital three times. In addition to the pacemaker he has seven stints in his heart.

“The last time I was there was four years ago for a replacement because pacemakers last for about six or seven years,” he said.

“Obviously, I guess like most people I was terrified and gradually accepted my condition to move onward.”

Fortunately he said his wife is a qualified nurse which was a great help.

He too has family history of heart disease on his father’s side.

“My father, my two brothers and myself all have heart conditions,” said Mr Jones.

Both men agreed that heart disease does not discriminate. “I would encourage everyone to take control of your health, have regular check ups and particularly your heart check ups,” Mr Jones said.

“It’s important to determine whether or not you have a heart problem.

“You might go this year and you don’t have a heart problem, but next year you might and it doesn’t matter how old you are.”

The next three presentations, all on Mondays at 7pm will focus on “Managing the Psychological Impact of Heart Disease” by psychologist Sue Adhemar on February 10.

Dietitians Sara McKittrick and Jessica Wade will address “Smart Shopping Sense” and “Nutrition and Heart Disease” on February 17 and 24 respectively.

Heart Month continues on Tuesday with Hott Heart Workouts, every Tuesday, starting at 12pm at City Hall with 45 minute workouts in Zumba, Jazzercise and Yoga.

For more information on events planned this month e-mail sionna@bdaheart.bm or call 232-2673.