Heart21: Here are this year’s Heart Month activities for you to participate in, even at home

February marks American Heart Month, and UT Southwestern will have several opportunities for those working remotely or on campus to participate and raise awareness about heart health. You’ll find details listed below, but check back for more activities to be added soon.

March 1, 2021

In case you missed it: Heart Month recaps

Check out these recipes for black bean burgers and butternut squash & turkey chili to munch on as you browse the Heart Month recap.

Week of Feb. 1

• Cardioheroes: The spotlight is on Kimberly Le, UTSW Exercise Physiologist, Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Week of Feb. 8

This month we featured Cardioheroes Michelle Berggren, Roman Islas, Rick Miller, and Kimberly Le (shown clockwise from the top, left)

• Meet the M.D.: Dr. Mark Link, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Learn about the cardiology care provided at our Park Cities location
• Cardioheroes: The spotlight is on Rick Miller, staff nurse, charge nurse, and ECMO specialist for the Cardiovascular ICU (9B) at Clements University Hospital.
• Article: 5 foods rich in heart-healthy polyphenols

Week of Feb. 15 – Heart Failure Awareness Week

• Meet the M.D.: Dr. Jennifer Thibodeau
• Meet the M.D.: Dr. Justin Grodin
• Video: Hear from Dr. Pradeep Mammen on the largest cardiomyopathy clinic for patients with muscular dystrophies in the U.S. 

Week of Feb. 22

• Meet the M.D.: Dr. Mark Drazner
• Article: Follow the clues to find hope for advanced heart failure
• Cardioheroes: The spotlight is on Roman Islas, EMS Liaison for UTSW-Clements University Hospital Emergency Department.
• Test your heart smarts with this diet and exercise quiz
• Article: UT Southwestern-led national effort on COVID-19 data, research on cardiac patients
• Cardioheroes: The spotlight is on Michelle Berggren, Registered Nurse for UTSW Clements University Hospital.
• Article: Minimally invasive heart valve surgery returns Division 1 softball player to her passion

Feb. 9, 2021

National Wear Red Day

On Friday, Feb. 5, UTSW joined National Wear Red Day! We came together—some remotely and others on-site—by taking our best selfies to raise awareness for cardiovascular health in women.

Feb. 5, 2021

Social media recap and a yummy recipe

Don’t forget to follow along on our UTSW social media channels throughout February for Heart Month stories! Here is a recap of our activity the week of Feb. 1:

• Welcome to Heart21
• 4 studies that defy conventional thinking about race, weight loss, and heart health
• Meet Dr. Kartik Agusala

After you've done your reading, check out this hearty recipe for butternut squash and poblano tacos.

Welcome to Heart21

This year we are talking about not only cardiovascular health and recognizing members from our team, but also taking the opportunity to share some stories about how UT Southwestern adapted in the face of the pandemic.

Love your heart

Things are a lot different this Heart Month with the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can still raise awareness for heart health. Check out some activities to do at home, like the 10-minute walk on Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. (use this sign in your social media photos), and the Preventive Cardiology Lecture Series on Feb. 11 with Dr. Neha J. Pagidipati.

Steps to improve heart health during the pandemic

A healthy heart is always essential but especially during the current pandemic. People with heart disease and other medical conditions appear to be at higher risk for more severe symptoms or complications if they contract COVID-19.

28 Days. 28 Ways.

28 Days. 28 Ways. is a fun, easy, interactive way to Go Red throughout Heart Month, including live digital experiences every week.

Highlighting the stories of the real women, celebrities, and influencers, we’ll engage women all month, celebrating the actions they take to raise awareness and live healthier lives.

Meditation

Loving-kindness

Loving-kindness meditation is a way to practice feeling unconditional compassion for ourselves and all beings. Some studies suggest it can help boost your empathy and feelings of connection and reduce bias, anger, depression and anxiety.

Make every bite a meditation

If you want to put healthier eating habits on the menu, mindfulness may be a simple and effective place to start! It’s not about dieting or restrictions – it’s about taking a moment to take it in.

Here's how to make a delicious and heart-healthy chicken tortilla soup and spicy red lentil soup, demonstrated by Susan Rodder, Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition.