Heart Matters

February is associated with matters of the heart and our February/March issue of Augusta Magazine is no exception.

For the emotional aspects of the heart, we celebrate love and Valentine’s Day in this issue by featuring profiles on some fabulous couples, who share with us insight on what makes their marriages work and how to keep the relationship vibrant and growing.

At this time of year, many couples also are looking forward to starting their lives together and planning their weddings. Weddings have changed over the years to reflect customs, trends and lifestyle. I think the main theme that defines the current trends is there is no “one size fits all” wedding formula anymore. Weddings have always been personal, but the execution of the event now more than ever, reflects the couples’ preferences, interests and personalities.

Even though I have been married 15 years, I still enjoy reading about weddings. Our annual Brides special feature reflects many of these trends. We profile two local weddings and feature photographs of Augusta area couples who were married this past year. Even if there is no wedding in your future, I think you will find these stories interesting. And if you are getting married, we hope the stories and advertisers featured will be a resource and inspiration for you.

Most important, February is Heart Month, which focuses on the physical aspects of this vital organ. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States for men and women, so everyone needs to pay attention to their heart health.

One lesser known factor associated with heart health is kidney health. According to the research, there is a strong correlation between chronic kidney disease and heart attacks. Also many people do not realize they have diminished kidney function until it is causing recognizable symptoms. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or if kidney disease runs in your family, this is another aspect of your health to check regularly.  Our annual Physicians Directory in January omitted the nephrologists’ specialty listing, and for your reference, we have included it in this issue on page 58 across from the health column.

In the interest of maintaining a healthy heart, keep in mind that many area hospitals provide free or low cost screenings and events in February that will help you learn more about heart health, including a new event for families on February 4 at the Kroc Center, called Cardio on the Canal. Check out area calendar listings and hospital websites to find out more.