Early lessons pave way to healthy hearts

For the first five weeks of the semester, a student always dressed in shorts, a T-shirt and a pair of cross-trainer running shoes.

A classmate wondered, "Is she on the track team?"

She's a runner, a sprinter, no — a long distance runner.

This college does not have or support a track and field team, but that didn't stop her and her family from heavy-duty running.

"I like to run," nursing sophomore Cayla Kent said.

She has been running, not for fame or glory nor has she ever run competitively. She runs for the benefits which keep her heart healthy.

When her grandfather passed away in 2007 from heart disease, her father, Michael Kent, made the decision to use running as an important tool to stay heart healthy and incorporate it into their family routine, she said.

Cayla Kent and her older sister, nursing sophomore Courtney Kent, juggle their busy schedules of full-time college and part-time work and active membership in the Alamo Community Church and still make the time to run and exercise together.

The transition to following in their father's footsteps was easy, Courtney Kent said.

"I can remember ever since we were young, our family has always been active," she said.

"We were always running around, playing soccer or street hockey, really any physical games or sports in which the whole family could participate in — is what we did," Cayla Kent said.

These girls and their father have entered into a few of the 5k and 10k races in San Antonio and surrounding areas.

"I know this is selfish," Cayla Kent said. "We would enter those races, not to race, not even to place; we did it for the joy of running with other people who enjoy running."

Her older sister, Courtney Kent, readily nodded her head in affirmation.

Sometimes on a hard run, Cayla Kent said she will push her body, not just physically but also mentally.

"After that run is complete," she said, "I feel exhilarated and stress-free."

The benefits people can attain from running to stay heart healthy may vary, depending on the runner's particular commitment and dedication to the sport.

Weight loss, cardiovascular improvement, bone and muscle health are just a few of the benefits people can attain.

Although there are dangers with running, whether it is from casual jogging to running marathons, people should always check with their health care professional before starting any exercise program, kinesiology instructor Raul Rodriguez said.

The lessons their father taught them in childhood and as adolescents have carried over into their adult life in their choice of nursing careers, and the pathway to maintaining a healthy heart, for this family, is second nature.

"I think if you train smart and not work outside your training zone, you will be fine, Cayla Kent said.

There is always the chance of injury.

"I would rather really live and die young than not live at all," Cayla Kent said. "I'll take my chances with running."

Long distance running requires intense training, just as nursing requires intense training, and as part of the training to become a nurse, cardio-pulmonary-resuscitation also known as CPR, is of great importance.

Many people have experienced an emergency situation in which someone needed CPR, and the question then is: Do you know what to do?

There is a new technique advocated by the Red Cross, called "hands-only CPR."

Hands-only CPR is a technique involving no mouth-to-mouth contact and is potentially a lifesaving technique.

This technique increases the chance of surviving a cardiac emergency more likely which occur outside of emergency medical care facility.

"I believe my family has a gift to helping other people and I feel it's our calling in life," Cayla said.

To learn more about hands-only CPR call 210-224-5151 or log on at: http://www.saredcross.org.