- November 27, 2024
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As part of Heart Month, Halifax Health has launched the “heART Path,” a traveling mural that will bring attention to heart disease prevention. And the public can help, by posting photos on social media.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, and Volusia County had the highest death rate from heart disease than any county in Florida from 2010 to 2014, according to the Florida Dept. of Health in Volusia County.
Halifax Health kicked off the heART Path on Feb. 3 at La’s Bistro, 439 S. Nova Road, with the unveiling of the mural, which was created by Ormond Beach artist Beth O’Connor.
The “Your Heart Matters” mural will be displayed at selected healthy businesses. Ashley DuFrene, who coordinated the event for Halifax Health, asks the public to photograph themselves in front of the mural and post on social media, hashtag #myheartmatters. For information on the heART Path, the mural and its locations, visit halifaxhealth.org/heartpath.
La’s Bistro was chosen as the first stop, DeFrene said, because she is a regular customer and knew of his health conscious methods, such as using olive oil rather than butter.
“Carlos makes healthy choices when he cooks,” she said, referring to owner Carlos Soldevilla.
O’Connor is a local muralist who said she has a personal interest in creating awareness of the problem of heart disease. Her mother has the disease and her grandmother died from it.
Matt Petkus, clinical ancillary services administrator for Halifax Health, said people should be active 30 minutes a day.
“It’s a misconception that it has to be exercise,” he said. “It can be a nice walk or gardening.”
He also said people see a doctor regularly and know their cholesterol.
Educational material will be available at the heART Path locations, but DuFrene said awareness will also bring people to educate themselves.
