Brock University promotes heart health through fitness, nutrition and stress management. Students and staff can access wellness services, including the Walker Sports Complex indoor track (pictured), to support cardiovascular well-being during Heart Health Awareness Month.It’s time for a heart-to-heart.
With Heart Health Awareness Month underway, Brock’s Health, Safety and Wellness team is reminding the University community of the importance of prioritizing heart health year round through physical activity, healthy eating, stress management and preventative care.
According to the Government of Canada, more than 2.6 million Canadian adults live with heart disease or the effects of stroke. While factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity and high stress levels increase risk, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can make a significant difference in improving cardiovascular well-being.
The University offers several programs and services to support heart health on campus.
Brock’s recreational facilities offer a variety of fitness programs, group exercise classes and intramural sports to encourage physical activity.
In addition to nutritious on-campus dining options that help diners make informed food choices, registered dietitians are also available through Dining Services to offer guidance on meal planning and heart-healthy nutrition.
Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease, making mental well-being an essential part of overall health. Students can visit the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre website to learn more about mental health and counselling services, urgent and non-urgent health care and accessibility supports. To access 24-7 telephone crisis counselling, students in North America can call 1-833-276-2533 (1-833-BROCK33) and students outside of North America can call 001 416 382 3257. Additional crisis resources can be found on the SWAC website.
Brock faculty and staff have access to a range of employee and community well-being resources.
In addition to these preventative measures, Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, Associate Professor of Nursing and leader of the Heart Innovation Research Program at Brock, also stresses the importance of early detection and screening.
“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 says. “As a cardiovascular nurse scientist, I am dedicated to getting this knowledge into the hands and minds of those who need it.”
Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to check in with health-care providers about blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular risk assessments.
