Monica Potter, star of NBC’s hit show Parenthood, has partnered with Campbell’s AdDress Your Heart Campaign to help raise awareness for heart disease. According to CampbellsAddressYourHeart.com , heart disease in the number one killer of American women. In fact, 1 in 6 women died of cardiovascular disease in 2005, while 1 in 30 died of cancer that same year. They are staggering numbers, but only 13% of women view heart disease as a health threat.
Monica, 39, portrays a mother of two on Parenthood, and in real life she’s the mother of three. She gave me some tips on how she herself has made small lifestyle changes as preventative measures against the disease that claimed her father in 2004.
TheCelebrityCafe: Why did you want to get involved with the Campbell’s AdDress Your Heart Campaign?
Monica Potter: Well I wanted to get involved because I actually have a personal story that affected me about 7 years ago. My father passed away from a massive, massive heart attack and it could have been prevented if he had listened to the warning signs a little bit more. I just thought that it was important to share this with people because I had no idea that over 42 million women in America were affected by this and it is preventable. I don’t want this to happen again to another family as much as possible.
TCC: So you’re specifically targeting moms, is there any reason for that?
MP: I just think that Campbell’s is targeting women and I’m in this campaign right now but I think the message is for everybody. I think that it’s for every woman that you know and every man that you know.
TCC: So what precautions do you take yourself as a mother?
MP: Well I just started eating a little bit better. I’m a pretty healthy eater but you know lately I’ve been cutting down on salt and drinking more water and I keep a cooler in my car full of vegetables and fruits and healthy snacks for the kids so that we’re not tempted by any drive thru's. Things like that. Exercise, going to the doctor, just taking care of myself and being more proactive so that I can be a better mom for my kids and a happier mom and a healthier mom.
TCC: I read on the Campbell’s website that 64% of women died suddenly of coronary heart disease that had no previous symptoms. I didn’t know until I was doing the research that I have actually have a history of heart disease in my family, and I was going through the risk factors and I became aware. So what do you recommend women look for symptoms-wise?
MP: High-blood pressure, you know my mom has that. My mom also has high cholesterol. So I’m getting her involved in this also. Trying to help her change her eating habits. And just to get her to take better care of herself. She knows what happened to my father and I think she’s getting it.
TCC: Old habits die hard. I find that it’s hard to break those habits. If I’m in a rush, I’ll just grab some fries and not really think about what I’m doing to my body.
MP: I agree, You know and as a mom, sometimes when you’re cleaning up the table it’s like ‘Oh, you’re not gonna eat that?’ A year ago, I was like ‘It’s easier if I eat it off the plate then throw it in the garbage.’ Oh really? Seriously? It was just like ‘Wait a second.’ So just little things like that, just conscious eating. You rush, rush, rush but if you take the time and take care of yourself then I think you’ll be okay. Undo bad habits.
TCC: So what kind of exercises do you do?
MP: I’m lucky to be able to do like we have a canyon here called Runyan Canyon. It’s something that we can all do together, the three kids. My oldest is in college but when he’s home we do it. And that is a really good workout. Also for me, I just have frenetic energy that I try to do yoga just to calm myself down and center myself and to focus so I think that’s a really good exercise for me. Just walking, simple things, it doesn’t have to be like you have to take on this whole new routine.
TCC: Just little things that you can change in your daily routine.
MP: Yeah! Exactly.
For every view of her promotional video on the Campbell’s website, they will donate $1 to Go Red For Women for a total donation of up to $625,000 through March 31, 2011.