Brenda Vitali

By Ashley Lucas Heart disease and stroke are not statistics to me — they are part of my family’s story. I grew up watching my grandparents, aunts, and uncles live with cardiovascular disease. I’ve seen the toll it can take, and I’ve felt the quiet worry that comes with it. When it touches your mother… … Read more

On March 16, 2026, the American Heart Association convened passionate Heart Powered advocates in Augusta for the CERPs in Schools Legislative Reception. Co-sponsored with the Northern New England (Maine) Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, the event brought together 17 advocates for a meaningful evening focused on raising their voices in support of healthier … Read more

The American Heart Association urges people to be aware of and reduce risks for deadly ‘holiday heart attacks’ The winter holidays can turn deadly as research shows that more people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than at any other time of the year. While being aware of the signs of … Read more

The American Heart Association’s® Woman of Impact™ nominees champion heart health through Go Red for Women® fundraising and philanthropy initiative Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women.[1] Launched over two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness and address clinical care gaps, the Go Red for Women movement serves as a … Read more

Marco Diaz, MD, chair, Department of Cardiac Services at Maine Medical Center and chief of MaineHealth’s Cardiovascular Service Line, will lead the charge as the 2026 Maine Heart Walk Chair. The Heart Walk campaign will culminate on May 17, 2026, at Portland’s Back Cove, where more than 2,000 participants will walk to save lives while … Read more

World Stroke Day is celebrated globally on October 29. This year the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is highlighting the importance of acting F.A.S.T. and stroke prevention. Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Globally, about one in four … Read more

American Heart Association funds support physical activity at Greene Central School Only 1 in 4 children in the U.S. gets the recommended amount of daily physical activity, and approximately 1 in 3 are considered overweight or obese[1]. With physical inactivity and mental health challenges on the rise among youth, schools like Greene Central School are … Read more

Denise McDonough to chair Maine’s Go Red for Women initiative Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women[1] in Maine and across the United States. Despite the threat of CVD, less than half of women are aware of its risk[2]. To change that, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the … Read more

Ashley Ricker of Falmouth recently joined the American Heart Association staff as Maine’s school engagement director. In her role, she will assist schools throughout the state with implementing the Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge teach students and their families to learn the warning signs … Read more

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care Ten hospitals in Maine are among the 4,800 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke. Heart … Read more

American Heart Association’s 9th annual “Purse-onality” event is September 10th The American Heart Association in Maine will hold its 9th annual Go Red for Women “Purse-onality” event on Wednesday, September 10th at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.  The event features a silent auction of more than 25 purse packages donated by local supporters. Each purse … Read more

A Measured Step Toward Better Health: American Heart Association and Northern Light Health Deliver 64 BP Cuffs to Greater Portland Health In Maine, close to 32% of all adults suffer from high blood pressure and deaths from this condition have steadily climbed over the past two decades. High blood pressure – a major risk factor … Read more

The American Heart Association in Maine is entering its 2025-26 fiscal year with dedicated volunteers who will lead the organization’s local team in pursuit of its mission, to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.  The Association thanks members who have completed their board terms and has named its president and chair, … Read more

How local advocates made a difference this legislative session and how you can get involved I am proud to share with you the American Heart Association’s latest policy and advocacy work in Maine. As we wrap up the 2025 legislative season, we’re energized by what’s next. But first—let’s recap and celebrate the victories that our … Read more

Rural areas often have blood pressure rates that are higher than the state’s average Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but many are not aware they have it since it frequently has no symptoms. In Maine, the rate of high blood pressure for the entire state is 31.7% of the population. Referred … Read more

The American Heart Association applauds the plan to protect public health and support tobacco prevention The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, issued the following statement through Whitney Perry Parrish, State Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association regarding the legislative budget proposal to enact a $1.50 tax on … Read more

Portland, Maine, May 9, 2025 — The American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, is adding lifesavers to the chain of survival by teaming up with MaineHealth to donate Infant CPR Anytime® Training Kits to Maine families. On Thursday, May 8th, the American Heart Association and MaineHealth presented the kits to … Read more

By Drew McMullin My heart journey began in early 2015, but really, it began much earlier. I am the child of two families with significant heart and other health concerns, where heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions ran rampant through the generations. Me being the perfect example of this genetic combination, I should have been … Read more

The American Heart Association in Maine recently hired Whitney Parrish Perry of Augusta as Maine’s Government Relations Director. Perry comes to the Association with a strong background in lobbying, coalition building, and policy campaign management. Her personal and professional experiences shape her passion for improving and sustaining the health and wellness of all people, particularly … Read more

On February 25, the American Heart Association participated in the annual Maine Heart at the Capitol 2025 in Augusta, Maine. The event brought together fifty passionate advocates, legislators, and members of the Maine Public Health Association to champion critical public health policies. This year’s focus was on increasing the tobacco tax and addressing acute cardiac … Read more

For more than two decades, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign has raised awareness about women’s greatest health threat – cardiovascular disease. The 18th annual Maine Go Red for Women Luncheon will take place on March 27th in Portland.   The main speaking program, emceed by Channel 8 WMTW Anchor Meghan Torjussen, will … Read more

In October of 2023, then 42-year-old Angela Coates of Casco fainted after going out with friends. She attributed the fainting spell to not eating and drinking enough that evening. She had fainted before, and didn’t think much of it this time. Her life was very busy as a stay-at-home mom to a five- and three-year-old. … Read more

Written by Margaret Greenberg, Hartland, Maine On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, 2021, I was feeling exhausted. For six months I had been working twelve plus hours a day, researching and writing my second book, The Business of Race, with my dear friend Gina Greenlee. We had a very aggressive deadline from our publisher, McGraw-Hill. … Read more

Cook mobilizes Greater Portland’s corporate leaders to build community of lifesavers Andrew Cook, Senior Vice President & Maine Market Leader of Mascoma Bank, will lead the charge as the 2025 Maine Heart Walk Chair. Under Cook’s leadership, top executives throughout southern Maine will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a … Read more

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Kelly Elkins, Chief Operating Officer with MaineHealth, as the community volunteer chair of the 2025 Go Red for Women Luncheon. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the American Heart Association designed to increase … Read more