Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women[1] in the Mohawk Valley and across the United States. To change that, the American Heart Association, a relentless force … Read more
On May 29, 2025, John Paulsen had taken his lunch break from Ellenville School, a few minutes away at the home of his future in-laws, the Crafts. He had just … Read more
According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially … Read more
Pregnancy and welcoming a new baby into the world can be a joyous time. At the same time, the American Heart Association knows that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause … Read more
On Saturday morning, March 7, 2026, thousands of runners and walkers will participate in America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk, beginning at Utica University. Area drivers will encounter delays and … Read more
Heart disease is personal to Peter Semenza, vice president of philanthropy at St. Peter’s Health Partners. Semenza lost his father to a heart attack in 2004. He turned that loss … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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. … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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. … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 & … 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. … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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; … 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 … 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, … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … Read more