I turned to top female cardiologist, Dr. JoAnne Cobler, for words
of advice on how ballroom dancing is directly related to heart health and maintaining quality of life. Here is someone who lives...and dances....what she preaches to her patients!

Dr. Cobler is Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Buffalo Cardiology & Pulmonary Associates, a Board Member of the American Heart Association, Chairperson for the "Go Red for Women Campaign", mother and competitive ballroom dancer. She started dancing in 1984 while in medical school and first came to the Iacono Ballroom Center in 1991. JoAnne started in social dance and now studies competitive International Style dancing for performance and competition, most recently performing with her instructor, Phoxay Bouthsavong, at the American Heart Association dinner on January 24th.

As a cardiologist, she knows that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. She is also concerned about the increasing levels of childhood obesity. But she says that making a choice to have an active lifestyle can reduce risk factors and change these statistics.

According to Dr. Cobler, "A healthy heart is synonymous with a higher quality of life. It means that we can be participants in a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle - staying active and enjoying all the fun and passion that life has to offer. Exercise is extremely important and can help condition the heart. It also helps people lose weight, which reduces blood pressure while lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels."

There are three areas that are directly related to heart health: DIET, EXERCISE and STRESS REDUCTION. When people change their lifestyle to be more active, eat right and reduce stress they can significantly reduce their risk factors of high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Diet is something that many people can learn to control. Exercise is where they often fall short because they fail to find an activity they can stick with long-term and enjoy.

"Ballroom Dancing is an excellent form of exercise and stress reduction," said Dr. Cobler. "When people are dancing and enjoying themselves they don't even realize they're exercising. Dance contributes to physical and mental health because it also provides socialization. When you're involved in ballroom dancing you develop a network of friends who like to dance as well...it's a great stress reliever."

Concludes Dr. Cobler, "Dancing has provided me with an enriching and passionate activity I love, that also helps reduce stress and enriches my life. I would advise anyone who thinks they can't dance to just try it. It's never too late to learn and get on the road to a healthier lifestyle."

So there you have it. Get involved, start dancing, make new friends, enjoy quality time with friends, and get healthy as well! Enrich your life with dance and experience all the fun, love and passion that life has to offer!