Welcome to the American Heart Association’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate (MAA) blog! We’re excited to share how we are working with our communities to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
How to celebrate the holidays with no regrets!
Hampton Roads, VA - For those striving to live healthy, indulging in the yummy food and beverages at end-of-year parties can bring on a sense of regret. Enjoying a healthy lifestyle includes spending time with your friends and family without feeling guilty about your food intake. Finding that balance can be a struggle, so we've teamed up with Local Eat Smart Sponsor, Bon Secours, to help you remain healthy while fully enjoying your celebrations with loved ones. "Buffets are a common way to celebrate. It’s important to plan ahead to keep the endless food options derailing your healthy eating plan. Survey [...]
Local toddler selected as national ambassador for Kids Heart Challenge
Richmond, VA - Three year old, Finn Blumenthal, will serve as a national ambassador for American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge! Since 2016, Finn and his mom, Kelly, have helped local schools raise funds for the American Heart Association. This year, the American Heart Association chose Finn to be a national ambassador for the program, now in its 40th year and renamed Kids Heart Challenge to emphasize fitness challenge possibilities beyond jumping rope. "We've been doing it all these years never thinking anything like this would happen," Kelly Blumenthal said. "We're just so surprised and excited." @PrayersForFinn Watch to learn more [...]
Join the Urban Health Accelerator – Historically Black College (HCBU) Legacy Kick Off Session!
The Empowered To Serve Summit and Urban Health Accelerator expands the work of American Heart Association in local communities as we seek to address social issues impacting the ability of individuals to attain the healthiest life possible. Thanks to the Barbara Houston Urban Health Accelerator HBCU Legacy Grants, made possible through the support of Mr. John Houston, III, the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate will pilot a new accelerator designed to engage HBCUs, offering: Access to web-based training, coaching, and mentoring from AHA staff and volunteers. Invitation to attend the February 28, 2019 Leadership Summit for enhanced coaching, more resources, and [...]
Triangle Construction Industry Makes P.E. More Fun for Students
RALEIGH, NC – Students at Barwell Elementary School have new physical education equipment to use thanks to Triangle Hard Hats with Heart attendees. At the September event Draper Aden Associates, the Tools for Schools sponsor, and the American Heart Association asked attendees to bring P.E. equipment to be donated to a local school. Attendees exceeded expectations and filled an entire truck bed with balls, cones and other tools. Representatives from both Draper Aden Associates and the AHA went to the school this week to drop it all off. This equipment was needed for Barwell Elementary School’s P.E. program, where there [...]
6 healthier options to sip on this season
Hampton Roads, VA - Fall and winter bring special seasonal beverages, both hot and cold. (Pumpkin spice latte, anyone?) But these tasty liquid treats can come with extra calories, saturated fat and added sugars that you don’t need. We've teamed up with local Eat Smart Month sponsor, Bon Secours, to help you stay healthy and hydrated this holiday season. "Before you indulge in your favorite seasonal beverage, it’s important to think before you drink. A cup of eggnog can be up to 340 calories while a cup of hot cider is only 59 calories," says Judy Mitnick, MS, RD, CDE – Bon Secours [...]
Charlotte Board Member and Retired Cardiovascular Researcher, Dr. Sandra Burke, Discusses Impact of E-Cigarettes on Teens With Well-Known Radio Host
CHARLOTTE, NC - Longtime AHA volunteer, member of Greater Charlotte Board of Directors, and retired cardiovascular researcher, Dr. Sandra Burke spent the morning discussing the health risks of e-cigarettes on teens with WFAE Charlotte Talks radio host Mike Collins. Dr. Burke was joined by Dr. Eltaraboulsi, a local pulmonologist with Tryon Medical Partners and Rose Hoban, a reporter with NC Health News. The hour-long program allowed Collins to ask the tough questions such as, "Is vaping as dangerous as smoking regular cigarettes?" Guests on the radio show weighed in with their concerns, comments and expertise in order to educate the listeners on [...]
Tony Foreman of Foreman Wolf named as the American Heart Association’s 2019 Heart Ball Chair
Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth, are the most common birth defects in the United States and the number one cause of infant deaths. Nearly 40,000 babies are born each year with a CHD. In 1965, Baltimore’s Tony Foreman was 1 in 100 babies born with a CHD and is one of the nearly 2 million adults living with CHD today in the United States. This is one reason Foreman is taking the lead as chair of the 34th annual Baltimore Heart Ball. "I was born in 1965 with a variety of [...]
Baltimore turns stroke awareness into street art
Even though stroke is the number 2 killer worldwide, 80% of strokes are preventable by knowing the warning signs and getting immediate help. As more and more people are learning the warning signs, we are seeing and increase in survival rates. As the third leading cause of death in Baltimore, our local American Heart Association - Baltimore team developed a unique awareness campaign to educate the community. Through art education in an urban alley where all graffiti and street art are welcomed, survivors, healthcare providers, and the community were invited to paint, draw and create graffiti art to share the [...]
