American Heart Association
Building a culture of health in South Florida
South Florida may be known as a retirement hot spot boasting tropical temperatures and sandy beaches, but our “café con leche” is as rich as our culture. People across our three counties are working towards making our cities healthier, especially since from one zip code to another, there can be a life expectancy gap of 15 years. Access to healthy foods, healthcare, and blood pressure management are just a few of the challenges South Floridians face. However, thanks to passionate donors and volunteers, lifesaving work is being accomplished every day. Join us as we together make South Florida a heart-healthy place to live.
Health Measurements
Percent of adults with...
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Our Community
“I had a heart attack in May 2013. I coded two times. The best day of my life changed my life. I am on a mission to spread the word about women and Heart Disease. I exercise daily and stopped smoking.”
–Pamela Africk, heart attack survivor
Begin your 30 Days of Heart
Living healthy is a struggle, but our loved ones depend on us. Our hearts depend on us. So giving up isn't an option. Need a jump-start? Take thirty healthy steps. One day at a time. Backed by science.
CPR Trainings
Emergencies leave us feeling helpless, but they don’t have to. Take two minutes to learn Hands-Only CPR™(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window) now. 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. When a person has a cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can double or triple their chance of survival. Prepare to save a life, find a CPR course near you today.
Healthy For Good
You don’t need a guilt trip. We know you know. You want to be healthy... for good. And we’re here to help inspire you to create lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple: Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well. Get Healthy For Good.
Blood Pressure
Check. Change. Control.
Stress on your blood vessels from high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other serious health threats. Use our free Check. Change. Control.™ online tool to track your readings and maintain a healthy heart!
Track Your Blood Pressure
For Professionals
Target: BP
The AHA and AMA joined forces with the launch of Target: BP™ to support physicians and care teams. We can track and maintain blood pressure goals for our patients by offering access to the latest research, tools, and resources.
“Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome is a very rare disease that is congenital. I had an extreme attack one night which prompted me to the ER and my life was never the same after that. The Lord provided a healing for me as He did back in biblical times. I have authored a book on what I went through and how I made it through by the grace of God entitled, My Journal, The Warfare of My Affliction. I started living a healthier lifestyle by eating in moderation, staying away from caffeine and getting more physical activity.”
–Barbara Calixte, heart disease survivor
Focus on Quality
Patient outcomes improve when medical professionals apply the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines. That’s the simple truth behind the obsession with continuous quality improvement. Our entire suite of programs can help advance your efforts farther and faster in the quest for ever-better care.
Closing Equity Gaps
EmPOWERED To Serve is a movement inspired by multicultural volunteers around the country who are passionate about driving change through health justice in their communities. These committed ambassadors are closing gaps in health equity through advocacy, policy, education, and social change.
State Policy Win
To improve stroke care in the state, we fought to establish a statewide stroke registry that requires all hospitals in Florida to report their data.
“I had a stroke eight days post-partum. I had a severe headache, sudden tingling in my hands and a warm flush in my body making me believe it was an allergic reaction. I was very fortunate to fully recover and be able to bring awareness about the misconception that you have to be within an age range to have a stroke. I have cut down on salt. Avoid fried foods. I value my second chance at life, Staying healthy is a must.”
–Noelia Gutierrez, South Florida stroke survivor
Funding Local Research
Research is a pillar of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission. Over the past 10 years, we’ve awarded 106 grants totaling $13.1 million to South Florida-area researchers in the ongoing quest to understand, improve, and treat cardiovascular disease and stroke. The results will assist doctors, hospitals, and other institutions to save lives in our own backyard and across the world.
Local Research Spotlight
“The goal of my research is to understand how combination of one's genes (genotype) and environmental exposures (epigenetics) influence the development and progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and cerebrovascular diseases. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia worldwide. It has been shown to be closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is now considered a worldwide epidemic. This will open an avenue for discovery of novel epigenetic therapeutics for CVD.”
–Karolina Janczura, B.S., M.S., University of Miami
Visit Professional Heart Daily, a Resource for Clinicians and Scientists
Support Network™
You are not alone. Learn from people like you, or help others who are going through an emotional time. Explore the forums, read survivor stories, seek and receive support.
“I was born with a significant heart defect which only was diagnosed when I turned 35. Since then, my heart and its function are monitored regularly to determine whether intervention is necessary. My commitment is to make women aware and proactive regarding their heart health so that they prevent cardiovascular disease.”
–Moj Khaghan Danial, South Florida survivor
Why Cholesterol Matters
You can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Take control of managing your cholesterol levels by making healthy lifestyle choices and following a sound medical treatment plan.
Greater Together
Across the Sunshine State, communities are building a healthier infrastructure and tackling inequities for hearts of all ages. The challenges are great, but together our future is greater.
Local Events
Miami-Dade Heart Walk
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Maurice A. Ferré Park
Let's get Heartwalking, a movement to move more. Heart Walk is a festival of one million hearts in 300+ communities nationwide beating healthy for good. Walk in memory of someone you love, or create a team.
South Florida Go Red For Women Luncheon
Friday, February 21, 2020
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
We "Go Red" for our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women - more than all cancers combined. Let's raise awareness that 80 percent of cardiac events are preventable!
National Wear Red Day
South Florida residents, businesses, and organizations wear red in early February to raise awareness that heart disease is the #1 killer of women. Because when we come together, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Broward Heart Walk
** WALK WHERE YOU ARE **
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Let's get Heartwalking, a movement to move more. Heart Walk is a festival of one million hearts in 300+ communities nationwide being healthy for good. Walk in memory of someone you love, or create a team.
Broward Heart Ball
Saturday, May 16, 2020
** VIRTUAL EVENT **
Business, medical, and other community leaders unite to celebrate the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. Don't miss this unforgettable evening of inspiration, entertainment and hope as we build a healthier community!
Survivor Fashion Show
Get Involved
Email us for more information on givingWhy I Support the AHA
“The work of the American Heart Association universally helps people from all walks of life and economic situations improve their daily lives. It brings me great pleasure to know that my volunteer and financial support efforts with the AHA over the past decade are helping to break the silence about the devastating impact heart disease and stroke is having on our families and our communities.”
–Martin Davis, an American Heart Association donor
Contact Us
Local Leadership
South Florida Metro Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Chairperson
Jonathan DeLuca
Subway
President
April Andrews-Singh
Immediate Past Chairperson
Carlos Castresana
Vice President
USI Insurance Services
Immediate Past President
Frank Scholl
Chief, Pediatric & Congenital Heart Surgery
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Board Members
Lon Rosen
Owner & Founder
One Beat CPR & AED
Lamell McMorris
Founder & CEO
Phase 2 Consulting
Tatjana Rundek, MD PhD
Professor of Neurology and Public Health Sciences
Vice Chair, Clinical Translational Research in Neurology
Department of Neurology
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Isis Zambrana
Associate Vice President & Chief Quality Officer
Quality & Patient Safety
Jackson Health System
Jose Romano
Assistant Vice President
Business & Community Relations
Baptist Health South Florida
Dr. Valerie Wanza
Chief School Performance & Accountability Officer
Broward County Public Schools
Iwan Mohamed
Market President
BB&T
Patti Rizzo
Head Coach, UM Women's Golf Team
University of Miami
South Florida Leadership Committees
South Florida Go Red For Women Circle of Red