Hi everyone! We've had a lot of fun this month talking about heart health and listening to the heart-happy songs from WebSpider's Jukebox. But I'd like to take a moment to talk about something more serious - congenital heart defects.

A congenital heart defect exists at birth. It is not heart disease, but an abnormality or defect - often the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth. Usually these defects originate in the very early weeks of pregnancy, when the heart is first forming. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect - approximately 35,000 infants per year are born with heart defects in the U.S. If the heart is not pumping enough blood for circulation, fluid builds up in the heart and lungs, and can cause further damage, including congestive heart failure. Look out for symptoms like rapid heartbeats, trouble breathing, problems when feeding, low weight gain, or swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes. Consult your physician if you think your child might have a congenital heart defect, and consult closely for treatment options.

Remember: Technology is improving every day. So, don’t give up and don’t be shy. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have about yourself or your child.

Check out this site for even more info on this issue: www.Marchofdimes.com

The Puppet Treehouse's newest addition, Intern Stef, has some heart-happy facts for everyone!

*In less than a minute, your heart is able to pump blood to every cell in your body.

*The human heart is about the size of a fist.

*During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.

*The heart weighs less than one pound (roughly the same as two apples).

Buddy Holly makes everything better. Even a Buddy Holly Impersonator makes things better.

Note: If you detect actual precipitation in your heart, aorta, or related arteries, seek medical attention immediately.

If you're having heart trouble (or hear everything people say as song) ... this might not be the best hospital for you.

Cigarettes are the biggest preventable cause of premature death in America, and heart disease is big on the list of risks from smoking. Giving up smoking is difficult, but the effects of doing so on your health are almost immediate.

Our friends at the American Heart Association tell us that "Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic  disorders, including atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries - which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. Controlling or reversing atherosclerosis is an important part of preventing future heart attack or stroke."

Their website also has an incredibly useful list of resources when and if you do decide to quit smoking - including American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and Nicotine Anonymous.

You know what's actually really good for your heart? Some Elvis Presley. Yeah. I know, right?

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart is to get a bit of physical activity outdoors each day - but some people don't like going running or lifting weights. Find a way to keep your heart happy and have fun too - a walk down your favorite street, playing basketball or "horse" with some friends, or flying a kite! The best way to make sure you do something active every day is to have a buddy to do it with you.

Heart palpitations are no joke ... unless it's in a Lenka song. Then it's okay.

Too much stress is bad for your heart. When pressures at work or pressures at home are getting to you, try and find ways to relax your body and mind. Some people find yoga very good for relieving stress, and it's also a physical activity that is good for your heart. Meditation can also be very helpful - even if it's just ten minutes of sitting quietly, relaxed, with your eyes closed.

To try and reduce stressful elements in your life, watch out for negative thinking and stimulus - either from those around you or from yourself (instead of thinking "No one will help me and I'm so overwhelmed," think "Who can I ask for help, or at least to listen while I unload my thoughts?").

If you feel like there are just too many things you have to do or keep track of, write them all down, and write down how long you think each item will take. If an item on the list is especially complicated, break it down into smaller portions and address each portion individually.

And - here's the best part - whenever you've completed an item on your list, or eliminated a stressful element from your life, reward yourself. Listen to a song you like, have a (heart-healthy) snack, give your cat a big squishy hug, or play a silly game on your smartphone. And then - get back to work!

But above all, remember -

Though heart disease is one of the major causes of death, and in fact the number one cause of death in women, there are some things you can do to prevent heart disease. We'll discuss more of these later, but our friends at the American Heart Association tell us that you can modify or control six of the main causes (or aggravators) of heart disease:

     *Cigarette and tobacco  smoke                                         *Physical Inactivity
     *High blood cholesterol                                                      *Overweight or obesity
     *High blood  pressure                                                          *Diabetes

Isn't it great to have so much power?