Celebrating the Heart-Health Benefits of Community
February is American Heart Month, the perfect time to promote life-saving awareness about all things heart health ❤️.
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Maryland? The good news is, you have a lot of power to protect and improve your heart health, and you’re not in it alone. CA is invested in encouraging heart health in the community year-round — and not just within the walls of our fitness clubs. In honor of this special month, we’re highlighting some of the ways community is good for your heart!
1- Movement
Moving your body is one of the best things you can do for your heart 💪. Regular exercise not only relieves stress, but can directly lower your risk of heart disease.
CA is proud to run dedicated programs that specifically target heart health, including the Cooper® Tracks Cardiovascular program. Designed by the world-renowned Cooper Clinic, this eight-week provides support and community to individuals with heart disease, equipping participants with an effective exercise routine and the tools to better manage their condition.
Walk with a Doc is another good-for-your-heart program at CA. According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity, making it the perfect low-impact way to protect your heart. Every third Saturday of the month, participants learn about a current health topic from a healthcare professional, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation along Lake Kittamaqundi.
“Walk with a Doc is a free monthly community program that fosters health education, social connection and movement outdoors in nature. The CA Medical Advisory Board and CA Wellness & Fitness team truly values the opportunity to connect and move with Columbia.” -Tavia Patusky, CA Wellness and Fitness Director
2- Access to green spaces
According to new research, the positive health impact of green space (such as lower stress and greater wellbeing) isn’t just about where you live, but how easily you can access nature.
Good news for your heart health: One of Columbia’s most unique features is access to an abundance of open space. CA is proud to be the “keeper” of that asset — we own and maintain 3,600 acres of open space, three lakes, over 95 miles of pathways and much more. We encourage everyone in the community to get outside and reap the benefits! Even just 10 minutes in nature can help lessen the effects of stress.
3- Art
Did you know that art and wellbeing go hand in hand? Whether you’re making art or viewing it, the experience can help reduce stress and lower your blood pressure ❤️. The Columbia Art Center is proud to serve up these heart-healthy benefits through classes for all ages and rotating gallery exhibitions.
4- Preventative measures
Every second counts when someone is having a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Having ready access to an AED is crucial, which is why CA invested in 65+ top-of-the-line AEDs in 2023. The ZOLL AED 3® defibrillator is equipped with the newest technology and has the ability to provide real-time feedback to guide rescuers in delivering high-quality CPR.
When you’re in one of our CA spaces, you can feel confident that we’re doing everything possible to keep you safe — including providing free CPR training for our team members. In the last two years, over 500 CA team members have been certified, and that number is growing all the time.
You can learn more about these life-saving measures on our blog.
“There’s nothing more important than the health and wellness of our community. Measures like high-tech AEDs and CPR training are priceless investments to us as an organization.” -Adam Scott, CA Human Resources and Learning Administrator
5- A strong community
You’re never alone in leading a heart-healthy lifestyle! We’re all in this together, and being part of a connected community is great for the health of your heart 🏡.
Observations of “blue zones,” areas of the world where people live longer than average, even show that vibrant, loving communities are one of the greatest predictors of a healthy heart and life. Whether it’s through wellness, the arts, recreation, multicultural programs, or serving kids and families, CA is dedicated to nurturing community.
Share your Heart Month moments on social!
We’d love to see the ways you’re celebrating American Heart Month throughout February. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and tag CA to show how this community helps make your heart happy and healthy.
