National “Wear Red Day” is celebrated on the first Friday of February to bring greater awareness to cardiovascular disease in the hope of saving lives. During the entire month of February, which is American Heart Month, we want to focus on preventing heart disease, as cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide for both women and men. Common risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression and obesity. Behaviors that can increase risk include smoking, lack of physical activity, eating a poor diet and drinking alcohol excessively.

While heart disease typically affects older adults, it is on the rise across all age groups. It is important to speak with your Heritage Valley physician about your risk for heart disease. Heritage Valley’s Heart & Vascular Centers include a team of expert physicians who work with your primary care physician to help identify, manage and treat heart and vascular issues.

To help support and educate our community in blood pressure management, Heritage Valley has partnered with the American Heart Association to provide self-service HealthBot stations in three of our Medical Neighborhoods... Center Township, Chippewa and Robinson Township. The HealthBot stations measure blood pressure, heart rate, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI), giving you the chance to “know your numbers” and monitor your vital signs. By consistently tracking these numbers over time, you may be able to decrease high rates of hypertension and obesity.

Please stop by one of these three Medical Neighborhoods Monday through Friday from 8 am – 8 pm, or Sundays from 8 am – 4 pm to check your numbers. Knowledge is power when it comes to adopting a healthy lifestyle!

Your heart is a muscle and, just like any other muscle, exercise will strengthen it. Being physically active is a great step toward good heart health, and is essential following a cardiac event. 

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Heritage Valley Health System is designed to help patients with heart disease recover faster and return to full and productive lives. Cardiac rehab includes exercise, education, counseling and learning how to live a healthier life. Our specially trained team consists of cardiologists and exercise physiologists who will work with you to design a program to meet your specific needs. Almost everyone with heart disease can benefit from some type of cardiac rehab. No one is too old or too young!

Cardiac Rehabilitation is offered at the following Heritage Valley locations:   

Heritage Valley Kennedy

(Phase 2 & Phase 3)

25 Heckel Road

McKees Rocks, PA 15136

412-777-6849

The Heart & Vascular Center - Beaver (Phase 2)

605 Sharon Road

Beaver, PA 15009

724-773-4507

The Heart & Vascular Center - Leetsdale (Phase 2)

12 Quaker Village Shopping Center

Ohio River Boulevard; Suite 2A

Leetsdale, PA 15056

724-773-4636

A physician referral is needed to begin a cardiac rehab program through Heritage Valley Health System.  

Recognize the Signs!

According to the American Heart Association, common heart attack warning signs include:

• Pain or discomfort in chest
• Lightheadedness, nausea/vomiting or breaking into a cold sweat
• Jaw, neck, back or stomach pain
• Discomfort or pain in the arm or shoulder
• Shortness of breath (with or without chest pain)

Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the less common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back pain, sometimes without chest discomfort.

If you are experiencing any of the heart attack warning signs, calling 911 is almost always the quickest way to get lifesaving treatment. It is not recommended that you try to drive yourself to the hospital while experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, unless you have no other option.