STHS Heart to Encourage Heart-Healthy Behaviors At A Young Age

In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mission & Weslaco, STHS Heart will kick off American Heart Month a week early to promote the importance of a heart healthy lifestyle and encourage the community to register for this year’s Heroes with Heart 5K.

Every 33 seconds one person dies from heart disease in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the leading cause of death among Americans.

During American Heart Month – observed in February – South Texas Health System Heart aims to raise awareness of the risks and effects of heart disease through its annual Heroes with Heart 5K, which serves as a reminder to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle to avoid cardiovascular disease.

This year’s run/walk is specifically dedicated to shining a spotlight on the alarmingly increasing number of young adults diagnosed with heart disease, which is typically more prevalent in older adults.

In the U.S., the number of young adults suffering from heart attacks and heart failure has been steadily increasing in recent years due to widespread obesity numbers across the country, as well as increasing rates of hypertension, according to health experts.

Today, more young adults are being diagnosed with issues like coronary artery disease, with one in 20 adults aged 20 and older living with the condition, per the CDC. Meanwhile, heart attack deaths among people between the ages of 25 and 44 increased by 29.9% over the first two years of the pandemic, according to a study conducted by Cedars Sinai hospital.

Despite those statistics, heart disease can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle and implementing heart healthy habits like eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising often and maintaining a healthy weight. The sooner in life these healthy habits are implemented, the better chance there is of preventing heart disease in adulthood.

“Childhood presents a golden opportunity to educate children about the importance of eating well and leading an active lifestyle,” says Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “By teaching these important habits at a young age, the risk of developing obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure – all factors that contribute to heart disease – decreases.”

To help Rio Grande Valley children understand the importance of heart-healthy living, South Texas Health System Heart is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Mission and the Boys & Girls Club of Weslaco to host a series of educational events at their facilities, which will include interactive healthy cooking demonstrations.

The series will kick off with a special community press conference on Wednesday, January 22, at 5:00 p.m. Taking place at the Boys & Girls Club of Mission, the event will feature STHS Heart leaders, as well as this year’s Heroes with Heart 5K ambassador Rick Venecia, the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission who suffered a heart attack at the age of 44 in 2019 and was diagnosed a year later with congestive heart failure.

“I’m living proof that heart complications can affect anyone, regardless of their age or socioeconomic status,” says Venecia. “I feel it’s my responsibility as a heart attack survivor and youth advocate to help educate children and their families about the dangers of heart disease. And I’m honored to be serving as this year’s Heroes with Heart 5K ambassador to encourage everyone, young and old, to take charge of their heart health.”

The special event, which is open to the public, will be held at the Boys & Girls Club of Mission at 209 Cleo Dawson St. in Mission. For more information on the kickoff event, please visit the STHS Facebook Events page.

STHS Heart will donate all proceeds from this year’s Heroes with Heart 5K, taking pace on Saturday, February 22, to the Boys & Girls Club of Mission and the Boys & Girls Club of Weslaco to support programs that help local children eat well and get moving. For more on the Heroes with Heart 5K, or to register, visit https://www.sthsactive.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.