As heart disease remains one of the top killers nationwide, Abrazo Community Health Network will launch “28 Days of Heart Smarts” to help people understand and manage the risks associated with the disease.

A staggering one in four Americans has heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. This devastating disease does not discriminate, affecting both men and women. 

“There are many misconceptions about heart disease, and that’s the reason we’re launching this campaign,” said Dr. Timothy Byrne, market medical director of interventional cardiology for Abrazo Community Health Network. “Not only do we want to educate people about the signs and symptoms of heart disease, but we also want to teach them how to make lifestyle changes to help prevent progression of the disease.”

From Feb. 1-28, Abrazo will share daily Heart Smart tips – from the best foods to eat to exercise, medication adherence and more via email and social media. Abrazo caregivers also will host free educational seminars, including “Know Your Heart – What’s in Your Family Tree” to understand the link between family history and heart disease; “Feed Your Heart” about swapping unhealthy foods for heart-healthy alternatives; and “Strengthen Your Heart – One Beat at a Time” about building the heart through exercise, stress reduction and more.

In tandem with National Wear Red Day/Go Red for Women on Feb. 2, Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital will celebrate the strides being made by women heart disease survivors and the steps the network is taking to combat the disease.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the hospital, founded by Dr. Edward Diethrich in 1998. Today, under the direction of Byrne and a team of cardiovascular specialists, the hospital is at the forefront of new clinical trials, treatments and technologies designed to improve the quality of life for patients. 

“The idea is to continue the legacy of excellence in cardiovascular care in Arizona, across the Southwest and throughout the nation,” Byrne said. 

The hospital established six institutes dedicated to cardiac and vascular care. Additionally, Abrazo is participating in more than two dozen national clinical trials on everything from aortic aneurysms to an irregular heartbeat and heart failure. Among the trials, Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital was one of 80 sites nationwide to perform a game-changing procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, on low-risk patients. Previously, the procedure was performed only on high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. Based largely on outcomes from the trial, the TAVR procedure is now available to a broader group of patients.

“We’re proud to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital during Heart Month,” said Tami Biggs, the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Clinical Officer. “Dr. Ted Diethrich was a pioneer when he founded the hospital in 1998. I think he would be very excited to see our involvement with advanced clinical trials and our ability to bring less-invasive treatments and procedures to our patients.”

To sign up for 28 Days of Heart Smarts, visit AbrazoHealth.com/HeartMonth.

FREE HEART-HEALTHY SEMINARS 

As part of Heart Month, Abrazo Community Health Network will host three free seminars to educate the community on how to manage their risk of heart disease or avoid them altogether.

Know Your Heart – What’s in Your Family Tree?

6-7 p.m., Feb. 6

Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, 1930 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix

Focus: Understanding blood pressure, cholesterol and other heart indicators and how family history can determine the risk of heart disease.

Register: AbrazoHealth.com/HeartHealth or 844-563-6109

Feed Your Heart

6-7 p.m., Feb. 13

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Physician’s Plaza building,18699 N. 67th Ave., Glendale

Focus: Swapping unhealthy food with heart-healthy alternatives, along with shopping tips about foods that could make the heart stronger and how certain foods and spices can lower inflammation, which is common among heart and stroke patients.

Register: AbrazoHealth.com/HeartHealth or 844-563-6109

Strengthen Your Heart – One Beat at a Time

6-7 p.m. Feb. 20

Abrazo West Campus, 13677 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear

Focus: Seven ways to strengthen the heart through exercise, diet and relaxation techniques.

Register: AbrazoHealth.com/HeartHealth or 844-563-6109