Editorial: Step away from the burrito

Politics will cause a lot of hearts to race this year as Republicans and Democrats push toward Election Day. But the real life-or-death decisions are made every day as voters and non-voters alike decide what to eat and drink, whether to smoke and how active they’ll be.

Grilled chicken and vegetables for dinner or a cheese burrito, fries and a shake?

Tea, water or a glass of wine to drink — or a six pack of beer and then some?

A walk on the greenway or another day spent watching TV from the recliner?

It may be foolish to raise these issues on the day of the Super Bowl, the ultimate TV-and-snacking event. But habits and lifestyles are what shape our heart health, not one evening’s nachos. Everything in moderation. Even Michelle Obama has an occasional burger.

Heart disease is the leading killer in North Carolina, with cardiovascular disease causing 31 percent of all deaths in the state. Here in Rowan, 1,600 people died from heart disease in the years 2004 through 2009, according to the Healthy Rowan Task Force.

Americans do not need government intervention to eat smart — contrary to one obesity expert’s call last week for the government to regulate sugar the same way it restricts cigarettes and alcohol, as toxins. But we do need to face the possible consequences of our choices and adjust accordingly if we want long, active lives.

Rowan Regional Medical Center is scheduling events all month to help people learn more about heart health and practice what’s being preached. (See “Heart Month events” in Thursday’s Post, online at http://bit.ly/Axtwq4.)

The days of ubiquitous cigarette smoke are over; perhaps the epidemic of overeating and sedentary lifestyles also can recede into the rearview mirror. We may not be able to rein in political rancor — or to decide which team will win today — but a healthy lifestyle is firmly in our control.