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From the Chief Medical Ocer • Take a walk or bike ride. It's a great way to get the moderate-intensity exercise your heart needs each week. • Split dessert. Sweets are delicious, but when it comes to your health, they're best in moderation. • Schedule a massage or another relaxing activity. Stress is a risk factor for heart disease, so make time for relaxation. • Know your numbers. Make a point to know your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels—and if they're too high, make a plan to control them. • If you smoke, quit. Not only will your heart thank you, but because of the lack of secondhand smoke, the health of your family or your signicant other will improve as well. KIA PARSI, M.D., CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER* INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Know your numbers. Make a point to know your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels—and if they're too high, make a plan to control them. If you smoke, quit. Not only will your Talk to your primary care doctor about your heart health. Don't have one? Visit CHIStJoseph.org/ndadoctor. Dear Readers, The heart is a very special organ. It's our life force, our most tender spot, a central element of our overall well-being. At CHI St. Joseph Health, we recognize that diagnosis of a heart condition can be completely life changing. We're committed to helping you and your loved ones live longer, healthier lives. In February, during National Heart Month, we want to encourage you to take charge of your heart health. Doing things like scheduling a visit with your doctor, making exercise a daily routine, improving your eating habits, quitting smoking and tobacco and ensuring you're taking your blood pressure and cholesterol medications as prescribed are all vital to maintaining good health. For those with a diagnosed heart condition, our multidisciplinary teams of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and specialists have you covered with a full range of treatment options, including the latest in surgical care. Of course, our goal is to always provide the least-invasive option that will deliver the best outcome. That's why we're excited that we can now oer patients aortic valve repair with minimally invasive surgical incisions. In the past, this repair involved a full open-chest procedure and more than six months of downtime. Now, with minimally-invasive robotic mitral valve repair, patients can expect a much shorter hospital stay, reduced time in the Cardiac Care Unit and a lessening of common symptoms of aortic stenosis like shortness of breath and decreased tolerance of exercise. Our healthcare ministry is dedicated to putting patients rst and caring for the hearts of our patients and our community. Thank you for continuing to trust us as your choice for heart health and wellness. Kia Parsi, M.D. Chief Medical Ocer & Interim Chief Executive Ocer February is American Heart Month. Give Yourself the Gift of Heart Health Did you know cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States? Starting this month—and continuing throughout the year—take specic actions to protect your heart health. You can address many of the risk factors for heart problems with lifestyle changes. Steps you can take right now to keep your heart healthy include: 3 CHIStJoseph.org /// CHI ST. JOSEPH HEALTH