How children can grow up with strong and healthy hearts was front and center at a special community education program, Heart2Heart on Health: Healthy Hearts for Young Adults and Athletes, held by Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute [1] during American Heart Month.
(The Baptist Health South Florida News Team hears from physician experts with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute about healthy hearts for young adults and athletes. Video by Alcyene de Almeida Rodrigues)
Moderated by Theodore Feldman, M.D., medical director of prevention and community health at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute at Baptist Health South Florida, the panel of cardiologists who spoke included:
– Harry Aldrich, M.D., medical director of echocardiography, EKG and stress testing at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute at South Miami Hospital;
– Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., medical director of the chest pain center, cardiac rehabilitation and stress lab at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute at Baptist Hospital; and
– Hakop Hrachian-Haftevani, M.D., medical director of electrophysiology at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute at South Miami Hospital.
The doctors addressed ways young adults can maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, combat childhood obesity and the importance of heart screenings for young athletes.
“If we are to eradicate heart disease in future generations, healthy lifestyle habits have to begin in the first two decades of life,” said Dr. Feldman, who also serves as medical director of the Center for Prevention and Wellness at Baptist Health South Florida.
Also speaking at the event was Shannon Allen, a restaurateur and mother of five who is married to two-time NBA champion Ray Allen. The Allens’ son, Walker, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 17 months old. Because juvenile diabetes can impact heart health, she talked about how their son’s diagnosis spurred her to seek a healthy lifestyle and clean diet for her whole family.
Attendees at the event also were offered free blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body composition screenings.
The Baptist Health South Florida News Team was there to capture the important messages shared throughout the evening. Watch the video now.