I am throwing my support behind the NationalHeart Foundation's Red for Heart 
campaign during February which is National Heart Month.

National Heart Month is an annual campaign organised by the charity to increase
awareness of heart and circulatory disease and to raise funds for their research,
prevention and care services.

I am calling on people in Birmingham to join in with National Wear Red Day
on Friday 26th February to show their support for the charity. The charity is also
calling on people to follow their 'BEAT' health code on the day as well. The BEAT
health code is:

Be active - Regular physical exercise can help keep your heart healthy. You don't
need to don Lycra or run a marathon - walking, swimming and taking the stairs all
count - just aim to do at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. If you
would like to build up to doing an event such as a walk, cycle ride, run or swim go
to bhf.org.uk/events to find an event near you.

Eat healthily - Eating healthily helps reduce your risk of heart disease.  We're all
allowed a little of what we fancy, but try to cut down on saturated fats, salt and
alcohol.  For top marks, eat five portions of fruit and veg a day, oily fish once a
week and go for the wholegrain options.

Avoid smoking - Smoking can damage the heart and double your risk of having a heart
attack.  Stopping smoking is the single biggest step you can take to live longer.

Take the lifestyle check - There are other factors that affect your heart health,
like weight and body shape.  Find out how you measure up - by truthfully answering
the quick step by step questions. A report will be generated and advice given to you
on how to improve your risk areas. The report can also be printed off, should you
want to discuss your assessment with your doctor. Take the free online lifestyle
check from January 2010 at bhf.org.uk.

The charities Red for Heart pin badges are available from all British Heart
Foundation shops, Argos, Homebase, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Fitness
First and Lidl for a suggested donation of just £1.

This is a really important campaign and I'm delighted to be able to
support it. Sadly, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the UK and
it's often preventable. I really hope that people will wear red on Friday and
support the British Heart Foundation in the great work that they do.