Dear Editor,

In regards to the article in the health section of the Times News about heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.: You have to make a positive change to your lifestyle. Some things to do are diet and exercise; see a doctor if you're 50 years old or older, even if there is nothing wrong with you. Quit smoking if you smoke, there is nothing good about smoking. Limit your alcohol to one drink a day for men and women as alcohol increases your blood pressure and your cholesterol. Take up walking as a hobby, walk a 2 miles a day for five days as fast as you could walk.I walk about 890 miles a year. I'm in a walking program with the Slovak Catholic Schools. I've been walking about 11 years. A good place to walk is at the Panther Valley stadium in Lansford. It's all flat, quarter-mile track. It is open from April first to Nov. 1, sometimes later, it depends on the weather. It is open seven days a week. A lot of people use the track for walking. They say for every minute that you walk, you will live for about one and a half minutes to two minutes longer. By walking you lower blood pressure, your cholesterol, you will also lose weight. If you walk a lot you will also eliminate diabetes or keep it in check. Walking is the best exercise you can get.Thank you,Robert BenekLansford