More than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. Many people are unaware they have it because blood pressure often has no symptoms, leading to its name, “the silent killer.” It is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A new blood pressure kiosk at the Capital District Latinos Cultural Empowerment and Community … Read more
Her teenage daughter’s big brown eyes and the question “Mom, what would you tell me to do?” led Lenora Murad to seek better care for herself when she wasn’t feeling right on a Friday night in 2005. Murad was on medication for mitral valve prolapse, and a recent transesophageal echocardiogram had found some issues that … Read more
America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk is set for March 7, a day when some of the event’s sponsors will celebrate the work that has gone on all year. Adirondack Bank, NYCM and GPO Federal Credit Union’s support of the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for … Read more
Through the American Heart Association’s Heart of the Capital Region campaign, Steven Hanks, M.D., volunteer chair and president and CEO at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany and St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in the Capital Region has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. Heart … Read more
David St. Pierre, Jr.’s, Sept. 27 workday had just begun when he collapsed with a sudden cardiac arrest. Quick action by his Regeneron coworkers, followed by a response from area first responders, led to a complete recovery for St. Pierre – and a 44th birthday celebration three days later. “This successful outcome demonstrates what’s possible … Read more
On Sept. 8, John Bonhotal suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while checking in for a Southwest Airlines flight at Albany International Airport. On Oct. 15, he hiked Vly Mountain, one of 35 Catskill Mountains that are taller than 3500 feet. Bonhotal returned to the airport on Oct. 16, World Restart a Heart Day, where Colonie … Read more
Brenda Swatek has seen a major shift in how people think about wellness in recent years – and she’s leaning into that momentum. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the 2024 Hudson Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon, Swatek saw firsthand how the American Heart Association, a global force for a world … Read more
Karen Carpenter’s grandmother and mother each had heart attacks when they were 52. Carpenter broke that chain by joining the American Heart Association’s BetterU class at the age of 52. The 12-week heart-health improvement program put Carpenter, the CEO of Vanderheyden, on a path of deep involvement with the American Heart Association, a global force … Read more
In 2016, Joanne Donaruma Wade helped bring together the first survivor class to be featured at the Mohawk Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon. Since then, she has continued to support women who live with heart disease and stroke, continuing to create survivor classes. When the pandemic struck, she shifted her focus to hosting the … Read more
Heart disease has played too large a role in Erica Raspante’s life. She shared her story at the May 1, 2025, Mohawk Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon so that others know that anyone, at any age, can have heart disease. The day before the Luncheon, Raspante celebrated the two-year anniversary of her heart transplant. … Read more
It often has no symptoms, but high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, vision loss and kidney failure. In fact, 33.8% of Mohawk Valley adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. The American Heart Association, a global force for a world of longer, healthier lives, and the Ronald and Sheila Cuccaro Family … Read more
The New York state Senate and Assembly took steps to make New York’s schools safer when they unanimously passed S.5585-A and A.785-A on Wednesday, June 11. Sponsored by state Sen. April N.M. Baskin and state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, the legislation would put Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in all of New York’s schools. The Assembly … Read more
It’s been a busy year for Darin Vail, Heart Hero of the 2025 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run. Taking place June 8 at the University at Albany, the Heart Walk will bring thousands together to fight heart disease and stroke. At the event, Darin will share his story of living with a congenital heart … Read more
Brian O’Grady, president and CEO of CDPHP, a longtime supporter of the American Heart Association, will serve as the chair of the 2025 Capital Region Heart Walk. This year’s walk will be the fifth event he has chaired for the organization. This year, though, it’s personal. “In March, I had quintuple bypass surgery,” O’Grady said. … Read more
May is Blood Pressure Education Month, and clients of the Roarke Center in Troy have the opportunity to know what their blood pressure is, thanks to a donation from the American Heart Association and Broadview Federal Credit Union. On Wednesday, May 7, the Roarke Center, one of six outreach programs of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, … Read more
Every year, 356,000 people have a sudden cardiac arrest. Only 10 percent survive. The good news is that having CPR performed doubles or triples a victim’s chance of survival. That’s why the American Heart Association is creating a Nation of Lifesavers, where at least one member of every household knows how to do Hands-Only CPR. … Read more
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., or more simply put, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms. But on Thursday, April 10, the American Heart Association and First Source Federal Credit Union in Utica, New York, teamed up to make the postpartum time easier for women. … Read more
There were two things about the Go Red for Women movement that drew Alicia Brockway, vice president, regional business banking manager at NBT Bank, to the role of chairperson of the 2025 Mohawk Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon. “The statistic that 45% of women have some form of cardiac disease, and that only 44% … Read more
On Saturday morning, March 8, 2025, thousands of runners and walkers will participate in America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk. The course extends from Barneveld to Utica University. Area drivers will encounter delays and altered traffic patterns between 7:00 am and noon. SPECIFIC ROAD CLOSINGS AND DETOURS: LOCATION TIME DETAILS ROUTE 365 7:30am … Read more
Cardiologist Joseph Sacco, M.D., grew up working in his family’s Rocky Hill, CT, pharmacy. When he was a student at MIT, he thought his career would be conducting science experiments in a lab. “But I realized I wanted more people interaction,” Dr. Sacco, who will receive the Donald Led Duke Heart Hero Award at the … Read more
In six weeks, community members will gather for the Healthy for Good Expo on Friday, March 7, and the next day, Saturday, March 8, for America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk. So that nobody has to miss out on the 51st edition of the American Heart Association event, Association staffers will host early registrations on … Read more
Steve Wacksman, Albany Transportation Superintendent at CDTA, has been named the American Heart Association Capital Region 2024 Leaders of Impact™ winner for his work driving equitable cardiovascular health in the community. In the Capital Region, life expectancy varies by nine years[1] which can often be caused by social drivers of health, deeply rooted inequities related to … Read more
Anthony LaPolla, Founder and CEO of Empower Business Strategies, was part of his grandparents’ team at America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk nearly 30 years ago. In 2025, he’s returning in a leadership role. LaPolla is serving as logistics chair of the event set for Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, at Utica University. … Read more
The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, applauds Gov. Kathy Hochul’s assertion that “Your family is my fight” heard repeatedly in today’s State of the State address. “The governor’s proposed funding of breakfast and lunch at school for all of New York’s children benefits families in a positive and concrete way,” … Read more
Being able to have healthy food during the school day sets children up for healthier lives. The American Heart Association has advocated in the past three state legislative sessions for healthy school meals for all and was glad to stand with Governor Kathy Hochul today as she announced full funding for healthy school meals for … Read more
Casey Toomajian of Wynantskill was surprised to learn that he was at serious risk for heart disease, and wants to raise awareness for more people who might also be at risk. To do that, he’s chairing the 2025 Capital Region Heart Ball on Friday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 11 p.m., at the Albany Capital … Read more
Nearly 65% of Americans don’t feel they would know what to do if someone had a sudden cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, along with HealthAlliance Hospital WMCHealth, Project ADAM, Ulster County and Pointe of Praise changed that today. On Sunday, October … Read more
She is a health coach with a doctorate degree in bioethics; an Emmy Award-winning journalist who continues to educate the public about ways to stay healthy; a frequent keynote speaker; an actor and singer; and a longtime emcee of the Go Red for Women Luncheon in the Capital Region. To honor her work, the American … Read more
It’s been almost a year since Jodi Hammell suffered a stroke at work, and on Nov. 14, she will share her story at the Hudson Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, designed to increase women’s … Read more
It’s been nearly 15 years since John Mazur was saved by CPR after suffering sudden cardiac arrest in October 2009. In that time, he has applauded his children’s graduations, traveled, and held a newborn grandchild. Mazur has also been a leader of the Capital Region Heart Walk team, “And the Beat Goes On,” made up … Read more
MMRI leader to head national council for the American Heart Association The executive director of the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., became the chair of the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Council on July 1, 2024. BCVS is one of the largest councils at the Association and one of … Read more
15-year-old born with congenital heart defect to throw out first pitch at Friday’s ValleyCats game Darin Vail, 2025 Heart Hero of the Capital Region Heart Walk, celebrates his 15th birthday days before game When Missy Vail was 19 weeks pregnant with her son Darin, she and her husband Fred learned that he had hypoplastic … Read more
The American Heart Association, celebrating a century of profound impact on heart health and well-being, is welcoming five community leaders to its board of directors in the Mohawk Valley. The new board members, who will serve two terms that began on July 1, are: Amy DeMetri, retired Executive Vice President, First Source Federal Credit Union, … Read more
When the American Heart Association launched its Go Red for Women campaign, Anne Saile, then the president and CEO of Bellevue Woman’s Hospital, agreed to chair the inaugural Go Red for Women Luncheon in the Capital Region. Go Red for Women was the American Heart Association’s new initiative to raise awareness that heart disease was … Read more
The 2024 Stroke Ambassador to the Capital Region Heart Walk, Wanda Feaster, had been diagnosed with breast cancer after a persistent pain spurred her to visit the doctor. Her doctor told her that pain isn’t necessarily cancer, but Feaster, a woman of faith, was sure it was. “The Lord told me that it was cancer, … Read more
His volunteer work with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, started in 2013, when he was just 2 years old, and he and his family joined a group of advocates at the New York State Capitol urging legislators to pass the Pulse Ox Law. Those efforts were successful, and … Read more