As Heart Health Awareness Month unfolds, Brock University’s Health, Safety, and Wellness team is spotlighting the importance of maintaining heart health year-round through fitness, nutrition, stress management, and preventative care.
With over 2.6 million Canadian adults living with heart disease or the effects of stroke, many factors—such as poor diet, inactivity, and high stress—can increase the risk of heart disease. However, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can significantly improve cardiovascular well-being.
To support this, Brock University offers various programs and services to encourage heart health:
Fitness and Physical Activity: The University provides access to recreational facilities, fitness programs, group exercise classes, and intramural sports to promote physical activity. The Walker Sports Complex’s indoor track is one such facility available for use.
Heart-Healthy Nutrition: Nutritious dining options are available across campus, and registered dietitians offer meal planning advice to support heart health.
Mental Health Support: Chronic stress is a key contributor to heart disease, making mental health essential for overall well-being. The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre offers mental health and counselling services. Students also have access to 24/7 telephone crisis counselling services.
Preventative Care and Screening: Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, Associate Professor of Nursing at Brock, advocates for early detection and screening for heart disease. She emphasizes the value of pre-emptive screening to reduce chronic illness and death associated with cardiovascular diseases. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to consult healthcare providers about blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular risk assessments.
By incorporating fitness, healthy eating, stress management, and early detection into daily life, Brock University continues to prioritize heart health for its community.
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