Fort Wayne, IND. – Feb. 5, 2025 – While the arrival of February means it’s time to bestow hearts on your Valentine’s Day sweetie, the Parkview Heart Institute encourages residents to also reflect on their own heart health and lifestyle improvements that will keep you lub-dubbing all year long.
February is American Heart Month and once again, Parkview is offering multiple opportunities this year for patients to learn more about heart-healthy habits and resources available to evaluate and improve their cardiovascular health.
“Heart health isn’t just about avoiding disease—it’s about living a longer, fuller life,” said Dr. Roy Robertson, president, Parkview Heart Institute and specialty service lines. “Many people don’t realize how factors like stress and sleep can impact their heart. The good news is that small, daily choices—such as staying active, eating a balanced diet and following medical guidance—can make a big difference in protecting your heart long-term.”
The Parkview Heart Institute, which is in alliance with the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, is offering multiple education and awareness opportunities during February – and throughout the year.
Each year, Cleveland Clinic surveys* Americans about heart health, and this year’s survey explored behaviors and factors people may not realize impact their heart health. The results show that while 74% of Americans are aware that stress can negatively impact heart health, about 40% do not recognize that alcohol consumption and lack of sleep also can have detrimental effects on the heart. Additional factors Americans reported not knowing may impact heart health include tobacco consumption (40%), air pollution (62%) and supplements/vitamins (90%).
The survey also found that while 92% of Americans currently take or have taken vitamins or supplements, only 38% do so specifically for heart health. Nearly all Americans (97%) believe supplements can improve heart health, but two-thirds (68%) consider prescription medication a last resort. Additionally, 62% of those taking prescription heart medications admit they have skipped or reduced their doses, often because they forgot or believed missing a dose wouldn’t make a difference.
These findings highlight the need for greater awareness of heart health risk factors and the importance of medication adherence and lifestyle changes in cardiovascular wellness.
Throughout the month of February and beyond, Parkview Heart Institute will host a series of events aimed at increasing awareness of heart disease and encouraging healthy habits.
This year’s offerings include:
- Feb. 1: Heart Month lighting. The Parkview Heart Institute and Parkview Hospital Randallia will be lit in red lights for the month of February in recognition of American Heart Month.
- Feb. 7: National Wear Red Day® Parkview Heart Institute coworkers will be wearing red to help raise awareness of the #1 killer of women, cardiovascular disease. To learn more, visit www.goredforwomen.org and visit Parkview’s social media pages: Facebook | Instagram | X
- Feb. 11: Heart health on PBS Healthline. Dr. Cale Tabler will be the guest on the PBS Healthline call-in program, airing at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Tabler will discuss physical fitness following a cardiac event.
- Feb. 12: Getting to the Heart of Cardiovascular Disease [VIRTUAL]. Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, to learn about better nutrition, which is a controllable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Registration is required. For more information, visit this page.
- Feb. 13: Hearts, Chocolate and Friendship. The Her Heart Support Network will host an event featuring games, heart health education, fellowship and treats from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Parkview Heart Institute, 11108 Parkview Circle (Entrance 10, 5th floor). Send an RSVP to [email protected] or call 260-266-6153 to sign up.
- Feb 13: Brave Hearts. A support Group for Men with Heart Disease – Burning the candle at both ends. Event starts at 6 p.m. at the Parkview Heart Institute, 11108 Parkview Circle (Entrance 10, 5th floor). RSVP to [email protected].
- Feb 19: Heart-Smart Antioxidants: Protect your heart [VIRTUAL]. Explore the role of antioxidants in heart health. Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, as she offers practical nutrition tips to enhance cardiovascular wellness. Registration is required. For more information, visit this page.
- Feb. 22: Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. To learn more, visit www.valvediseaseday.org and visit Parkview’s social media pages: Facebook | Instagram | X
- Feb. 27: Powered by Plants: Heart Health. Join Kristin Gerhardstein, MD, Parkview Physicians Group – Family Medicine, and Kathy Wehrle, RDN, DipACLM, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health, as they lead the conversation on how to succeed with a plant-based diet. Registration is required. For more information, visit this page.
- Her Heart Challenge applications. The Parkview Heart Institute will be accepting applications for the Her Heart Challenge, a program connecting women in our communities with resources to improve their health. Participants will attend weekly sessions in August and get free lab work, opportunities for activity and access to health experts. Participants will be selected in June. Applications can be found online at www.parkview.com/herheartchallenge.
- Heart health resources from Parkview. Follow the Parkview Blog (parkview.com/blog) and Parkview social media channels on Facebook and X for posts on heart-related topics throughout the month.
- Save the date: April 24 – Love Your Heart Expo. The annual Love Your Heart Expo will return to the Parkview Mirro Center this spring. More details will be released soon. To sign up for a reminder email when registration opens, visit www.parkview.com/LYHnotifyme.
*Annual survey was conducted as part of Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute’s “Love your Heart” consumer education campaign in celebration of American Heart Month. Cleveland Clinic has been nationally ranked as a top hospital in the country for cardiology and cardiac surgery for nearly three decades. For more information, go to: clevelandclinic.org/loveyourheart.
MEDIA ASSETS: Photos attached show The Parkview Heart Institute and Parkview Hospital Randallia lit in red lights for the month of February in recognition of American Heart Month.