David Morris, Executive Director, American Heart and Stroke Association Delaware, and Thom Harvey, owner of Harvey Hanna & Associates and the 2021 Delaware Heart and Stroke Ball James H. Gilliam, Jr. Awardee, discussed cardiovascular disease and this year’s virtual Heart Ball. We began with a look at Delaware, like the rest of the world cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death, but strokes are more common. We talked about the reasons why including smoking and lifestyle, and social determinates such as no insurance and lack of access to healthy food, exercise and primary care that impact lower income residents. As prevention is key to survival, David and Thom both emphasised the need to educate the public about high blood pressure and get pressure cuffs out in the community and they discussed their three year plan to work with local centers, churches and even barber shops to make blood pressure awareness a high priority. David invites all of us to attend this year’s virtual Heart Ball, Thursday, April 15th at 7:00 PM. This year’s FREE celebration will include speakers and a salute to Thom Harvey for his work in the donations and volunteerism with new campaign. For more information about heart health, tips for reducing your risk for heart disease, info on volunteer opportunities and to register for the free Heart Ball go to HEART.ORG/DELAWARE
