February is American Heart Month and the primary focuses are on heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news is that heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions.

That’s the message that will be stressed tonight at the 2019 Pike County Heart Walk fundraising event from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Troy Sportsplex. Everyone is invited to come and participate in the Heart Walk and other activities and learn more about ways to prevent heart attack and stroke.

But the “heart” of the Heart Walk is the Survivors Lap which is the celebration of the victories over heart attacks and strokes.

Addie Green, who was the Troy Public Library circulation supervisor for 29 years, has been a strong supporter of the Pike County Heart Walk and the American Heart Association.

However, this year, she will attend with a greater understanding of the importance of making heart healthy choices.

“My doctor keeps telling me that I didn’t have a stroke,” Green said. “He said I had a TIA.”

A TIA or transient ischemic attack is when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a short period of time. A TIA can mimic stroke-like symptoms, which usually appear and last less than 24 hours. While TIAs usually don’t cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future.

“I didn’t have stroke; I had a TIA but it has affected my walking and made me realize how important it is for me to eat healthy and exercise – to take care of myself,” Green said. “It was my warning.”

The day of her TIA in late 2018, Green was at work and felt a little strange. She went to Byrd Drugs and got lunch. When she got back to the library, she realized something was happening to her.

“My head was hurting and my speech was slurred,” Green said. “I don’t know what all happened but they called 911 and my son. He said to take me to the hospital in Troy,” Green said. “I don’t know how to explain what I was feeling. But something was wrong and I was scared.”

Green was recommended to a neurologist and all the tests that were run came back okay, Green said.

But the effects of the TIA lingered.

“I have trouble moving my feet,” she said. “I can’t pick them up. I went to Health Action and that helped but I was not as motivated at home as I was there. I’m going to Silver Sneakers and I walk on the treadmill and I can pick my feet up better. Every day, I try to do a little more. I see how important it is for me to exercise. Even if I didn’t have a stroke, I was warned. I have to do all I can to be heart healthy. Some people don’t get a warning. I was lucky.”

Green said when communities come together in support of the Heart Walk people become more aware of heart disease and what they can do be heart healthy.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the 2019 Pike County Heart Walk from 5 until 7 tonight at the Troy Sportsplex. The walk will include a light meal, entertainment, door prizes and information booths. There is no admission charge.