February is American Heart Month—and for the last decade, Temple Health has hosted a full slate of events focused on education and prevention around heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. This year, the Health System kicked things off with Go Red Day on February 6th, encouraging team members to wear red to celebrate American Heart Month.
Patients, staff, and community members also attended Be Your Own Heart Hero events at TUH-Main Campus and Fox Chase Cancer Center, where they learned about the American Heart Association’s eight steps for a healthy heart and could make a pledge to improve their heart health (and earn a superhero cape!).
The events were hosted by Temple’s Advanced Heart Failure, Transplant, and MCS Program, which offers patients a wide range of treatments for conditions that lead to heart failure. Its goal is to help patients improve the function of their hearts, diagnose and treat their conditions, and relieve their symptoms so they can lead longer, happier lives.
The program offers the latest advances in medical, device, and surgical therapy—including heart transplantation and heart pumps—and has expanded its heart transplant criteria to give hope to patients who have received other treatments that are no longer effective.
Leveraging Expertise for Education and Empowerment
On February 13th, Temple’s Heart & Vascular Institute celebrated its 10th annual Heart Failure Awareness Education Day at TUH-Main Campus.
The Heart & Vascular Institute is a hub of innovation for treating the entire range of cardiovascular conditions, from high blood pressure to advanced heart failure. Its skilled team of experienced clinicians includes nationally renowned heart and vascular doctors, surgeons, and researchers. Through significant investments in technology, it provides patients with access to the newest minimally invasive procedures, mechanical assistance devices, artificial hearts, and advanced surgeries, including innovative hybrid procedures and transplantation.
Heart Failure Awareness Education Day began with opening remarks from Eman A. Hamad, MD, Director of the Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Program, followed by education sessions with Temple experts on advanced therapy options for heart failure; self-care, medications, and symptom management; coping with illness and caretaker burnout; and more.
Then, it was time for activities—including a hands-on CPR station where attendees could learn how to perform compressions, a wheel of fun and a chance to win raffle prizes, as well as a photo booth. Lunch was paired with a live cooking demonstration (and another raffle) from Chef Brett Heally and Temple clinical dietitian William Stallings, Jr., who showed attendees how to create simple, heart-healthy options.
The day concluded with Laughter Yoga with Alexa: a creative way to reduce stress and promote heart wellness. No yoga poses or floor activity were required—just a good attitude and a willingness to have fun!
