February is Heart Month: How We Help You Care for Your Heart

Did you know that the heart is the strongest muscle in your body? The heart has an important job, and taking care of your heart is important throughout your life. Heart disease takes far too many lives and has for many years.  

That’s why Wilson Medical Center is proud to join the American Heart Association in celebrating February as Heart Month. As part of this month-long series of reminders to protect your heart, we’ve put together some fun, informative, and free events here at the hospital, and with our community partners. These events offer practical tips, expert advice, and new ways to move! 

We invite you to celebrate Friday, February 6 as Wear Red Day. You’ll see a lot of red apparel on our staff at our facilities, and plenty of festive decorations to celebrate the day. In addition, if you drive by the hospital at night all this month, you’ll see our building “wearing” red – with red lights illuminating the outside of the building. 

In addition, we invite you – when the weather permits – to come out to the walking track at the hospital. You’ll find a fun playground for the kids, and exercise stations along our quarter-mile walking path to help you get in some steps to help protect your heart.  

Speaking of exercise, join us in our auditorium on Tuesday, February 10, for Heart Health in Motion: Exercise Stations, a fun opportunity to try out simple exercises with guidance from expert staff on how to get the most out of a workout you can do at home. We’re hosting this event from 1 to 3 p.m. Drop by when you have a few minutes, or for the whole event. 

Join us at the Foundation YMCA on Wednesday, February 11, from noon to 1 p.m. for, “Exercise for Your Heart: How Much, How Hard and Is It Safe?” Presented by our cardiology experts, you’ll learn practical tips such as the differences between cardio and strength training, how to understand your target heart rate, warning signs that mean you should stop exercising, and guidance for staying active after a heart event or while managing chronic conditions. 

To wrap up the month, please be our guest at the Senior Center of Wilson from noon until 1 p.m. on February 25, for “Heart Health for Healthy Aging”, an opportunity to interact once again with our experts in protecting your heart and your health throughout your and your loved one’s lifetimes. 

No RSVP is required for any of these events. We offer these special events throughout the month and our community to underscore our commitment to your lifetime good health. When you need medical care, we offer comprehensive care for cardiovascular and pulmonary needs, all within Wilson County.  

Throughout Heart Month, you will hear from some of our cardiologists, including next week’s column from Dr. Sanjay Cherukuri on healthy heart habits. These practical, expert tips demonstrate our ongoing commitment to keeping you healthy, right here at home.