Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in our region, and Meridian is committed to reducing the toll it takes on our communities. The best way to fight cardiovascular disease is through education and lifestyle changes. Know yourself and your medical history. Change things in your life that put you at risk. Prevention does make a difference.
Here are some prevention tips:
- Have your Doctor check your blood pressure regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be active and exercise regularly
- Reduce salt, red meat, and fatty foods in your diet
- Keep stress in check
- Don’t smoke
The Meridian CardioVascular Network offers online risk assessments, screenings, and educational programs designed to lessen the incidence of and even prevent heart disease. Many of these programs and services are free to area residents through civic organizations, churches, events at the hospitals, active adult communities and senior centers throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. Last year alone, Meridian’s Outreach team performed more than 13,000 screenings for heart disease.
Meridian’s ongoing programs and tools to help people understand their risk for cardiovascular diseases, recognize symptoms, and make healthy lifestyle choices include a Women’s Heart program, Cooking with Heart sessions, and Gospelfest targeted at audiences with higher risks for heart disease. We offer a program for every need: community heart-risk assessment screenings; CPR training; programs on nutrition, fitness, smoking cessation and stress management; and workshops on preventing, identifying, and treating cardiovascular disease. In addition, Meridian Life Fitness provides one of the most comprehensive wellness programs in the area at four convenient locations. Life's Plus Fitness is a two step program designed to help you achieve healthy weight loss and lower risks for cardiovascular disease with the help of certified and trained exercise specialists.
Information about and registration for upcoming screenings can be easily accessed through our website or by calling 1-800-DOCTORS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Read our physician perspectives on Prevention & Wellness within the Meridian CardioVascular Network
