Feb 12, 2004

Street Talk by Shari Kaplan

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month. How important is this issue to you, and what, if anything, are you doing in your life to be "heart-healthy?" (Asked at the U.S. Post Office on Crown Boulevard.)

"I'm definitely concerned about heart health, mainly from the attention it's given by the media and government. I'm also concerned because I'm getting older. I try to exercise three or four times a week. I hike and ride my bike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. As for eating, I read ingredient labels on foods and try to avoid foods with super-high cholesterol or fat. My wife and I are trying to instill healthy habits in our kids, too."

Mark Mangin, 41
Almaden Valley
Semiconductor sales

"High cholesterol is a problem that runs in my family. My grandma survived a heart attack. I tend to watch what I eat. I try not to eat too much fast food—even though I like fast food—and I try to stay active. I love to skateboard, and since I don't have a car, I also walk everywhere, which is good exercise."

"Brother John" Doherty, 16
Almaden Valley
High school student

"I hike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park about four times a week. I like going there because it's never boring; there are always flowers, plants or animals to see in every season. I also belong to Almaden Valley Athletic Club and try to go a few times a week. Heart disease doesn't run in my family, but I do worry about it, because I'd like to live forever—and enjoy my grandchildren!"

Norma Faulkner, 63
Almaden Valley
Retired parts manager

"Heart disease doesn't really bother me, and it's not in my family. But I do think it's a problem. Doctors should be helping people more with information and awareness, things like that. I play lacrosse at Leland, and I run five times a week for lacrosse practice. I also go skateboarding, and I do a lot of walking every day."

Dan "The Man" Krulee, 15
Almaden Valley
High school student

"We've all changed our diets—we're almost quasi-vegetarians now. I have a two-mile route I used to walk four times a week, but I've been slacking off lately. I'm concerned about heart disease because a friend of mine had a six-way bypass; I'd never heard of one that extensive! He's lucky his problems were caught early. He had some symptoms but was misdiagnosed for months. I'm thinking of getting a heart scan to check my arteries, but I have to get around to it."

Carlo Bruno, 64
Almaden Valley
Retired electronics company vice president

"I eat whatever I like, but I don't eat a lot of meat or junk food. I recently had my cholesterol and triglycerides done, and my numbers were high. I already do daily meditation, yoga, tai chi and walking, yet my numbers are high. It's not fair. I'm not very concerned, though. I think you might as well enjoy life and not live in fear."

Donna Spencer, 54
Almaden Valley
Former legal secretary