As Heart Health Awareness Month unfolds, Brock’s Health, Safety and Wellness team is advocating for year-round prioritisation of heart health through vital lifestyle choices. Emphasising physical activity, nutritious eating, stress management, and preventative care, they remind the University community of the significant impact these habits have on one’s cardiovascular well-being.
With over 2.6 million Canadian adults affected by heart disease or strokes, the need for a heart-smart lifestyle is crucial. Factors like an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and high stress levels heighten risks, making it essential to adopt healthier routines.
Brock’s campus is rich with resources that nurture heart health, including a wide array of recreational activities, fitness programmes, and group exercise classes designed to inspire movement and camaraderie. Nutritious dining options are easily accessible, and registered dietitians are ready to assist students in making informed choices for heart-healthy nutrition.
Mental health plays a significant role in cardiovascular health, with chronic stress being a contributing factor to heart disease. The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre provides crucial resources encompassing mental health services, counselling for both urgent and routine care, and accessibility support. Students can also reach out for 24/7 telephone crisis counselling, lending a compassionate ear at times of need.
Furthermore, staff and faculty at Brock have wellness resources available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program, while those outside the EFAP can find community resources listed on the HSW SharePoint site. Continued education on heart health is critical, and proactive measures enhance overall well-being.
Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, Associate Professor of Nursing and leader of the Heart Innovation Research Program at Brock, underscores the necessity of early detection. “Pre-emptive screening of early and acute symptoms of developing heart disease is important for early recognition to decrease cardiac-related chronic illness and death,” she shares passionately.
Both students and staff are encouraged to engage with healthcare professionals regarding blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular risk assessments, actively participating in their own heart health journey.
Brock University highlights the importance of heart health during Heart Health Awareness Month, advocating for year-round healthy lifestyle choices including physical activity and stress management. The campus offers diverse resources, including fitness programmes, nutritious dining options, and mental health services. Early detection of heart disease is crucial, emphasised by faculty like Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, urging proactive engagement in cardiovascular health assessments.
In summary, Brock University’s commitment to heart health is manifest in its comprehensive wellness initiatives, which encompass engaging fitness programmes, nutritional guidance, stress management resources, and educational opportunities for early detection. With the collaborative effort of the Health, Safety and Wellness team, faculty, and students, the campus promotes a heart-healthy lifestyle that echoes the need for ongoing awareness and proactive care.
Original Source: brocku.ca
