Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County Recognizes American Heart Month and Encourages Residents to take charge of their Heart Health

By Jennifer Harris

Employees with the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County (DOH-St. Lucie) are kicking off American Heart Month by participating and urging others in the community to wear red on Friday, February 3, 2023.  This is in support of the American Heart Association “National Wear Red Day” to raise public awareness about women’s heart health.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year.  Most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and health lifestyle changes.  Five numbers that all women should know to take control of their heart health are: Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI).

“We can change these numbers with education and action. Take time to Know Your Numbers and work with your healthcare provider to determine your risk for developing cardiovascular disease,” said Clint Sperber, Health Officer and Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County.

“We’re excited to participate in this national observance to raise awareness in our community about heart disease. We want this day to serve as a reminder for women to take action to improve their own heart health, and that our facility is here to provide the care and support they need to do that,” said Jodi LoDolce, Chief Nursing Officer of HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. “We understand there is a significant need in St. Lucie County for managing high blood pressure, and we are so fortunate that our HCA Healthcare Foundation has sponsored the Libraries with Heart program. This will not only increase accessibility to blood pressure monitors in our area, but also move us one step closer in achieving our goal of eradicating heart disease.”

“This Heart Month, our goal is to put a lifesaver in every home through our ‘Be the Beat’ CPR campaign,” said Kayla Fox, Executive Director of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County. “Seventy percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, meaning that when you’re performing CPR, it will most likely be to save the life of someone you know. CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest.”

For more information on the ‘Be the Beat’ CPR campaign, please visit American Heart Association’s website at Be the Beat | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid.

To keep your heart healthy, here are a few lifestyles changes you should make:

• Don’t smoke
• Manage your blood sugar
• Get your blood pressure under control
• Lower your cholesterol
• Know your family history
• Stay active
• Lose weight
• Eat healthy

The Healthy St. Lucie Coalition hosts an annual Billion Steps Challenge, encouraging residents to be more active.  This annual challenge to reach a billion steps as a community is conducted over an online platform called, Walker Tracker.  After residents register for the challenge, they can sync a tracking device or manually enter their activity.  The app and the challenge are free.  Take steps to keep your heart healthy by joining the Billion Steps Challenge.