Heart Month is the perfect time to focus on small, meaningful steps that protect your heart for life. Throughout February, UnityPoint Health and the
community are coming together to move more, learn more, and take simple actions that support heart health.
The challenge is easy: move more, however you like. If you’re moving, it counts. Participants can share how they’re taking part in the 10k Step Challenge by sharing photos to social media and using the hashtag #MoveWithHeartUPH.
Some fun ways to get your steps in include:
• Walking with family, friends, coworkers or your pet
• Turning music on and dancing for a few minutes
• Adding a quick walk before or after meals
• Exploring a new park or trail – or snowshoe!
• Walking while waiting (during kids’ practices, appointments, etc.)
“Most people can start improving their heart health today. In many cases, heart disease is
preventable, and small changes can make a big difference,” says Kathy Pulley, director of
cardiology at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Heart Center. “By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including
not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and
cholesterol, and managing high blood pressure, you can lower the risk for heart disease.”
Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States, underscoring the
urgent need for prevention and heart-healthy habits to protect lives now and in the future.
“At Trinity Heart Center, we are committed to helping people live healthier, and for most of us,
there’s no better place to start than taking care of our hearts,” says Lindsey McKenzie,
community outreach coordinator at UnityPoint Health – Trinity. “This challenge is all about
getting our community moving, feeling better and having fun while doing it. We hope everyone
will join us, enjoy the journey and carry these healthy habits beyond February.”
Find more information on heart care at Trinity Heart Center, visit unitypoint.org.
Also coming up in February:
• UnityPoint Health will host free blood pressure and cholesterol checks at its Quad Cities
and Muscatine hospitals.
-Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. – UnityPoint Health Bettendorf (Conference
Room A & B)
-Thursday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. – UnityPoint Health Rock Island (Jardine
Auditorium)
-Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. – UnityPoint Health Moline (Conference
Room)
-Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. – UnityPoint Health Muscatine (Hospital
Lobby)
• Heart to Heart: Harish Patlolla, MD, Cardiovascular Medicine, PLLC, will host “Protecting
the Heart Early: Stress, Movement, Nutrition and Prevention” on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from
5 to 7 p.m. at UnityPoint Health Rock Island (Jardine Auditorium). The event is free and
open to the public. Register at unitypoint.org.
