Heart Health

wellness information

Heart Health

GatorCare offers resources and education to help manage your heart’s health through behavior and lifestyle modification. With simple changes in diet, medication, and exercise you and your doctor may reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke.

red heart surrounded by light blue stethoscope

Heart Health Basics

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is having blood pressure higher than 130/80 mmHg. It’s normal to have high blood pressure for short periods of time but when your blood pressure stays high most of the time, it can cause serious health issues such as a heart attack or stroke. For most adults, hypertension develops gradually over many years without an identifiable cause (primary hypertension) but for others it is a sign of an underlying disease (secondary hypertension) such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.

For more information about hypertension and how to reduce your risk, visit our Heart Health Information page.

Heart Smart Webinars

Lower your risk of heart disease by engaging with these 6 webinars on heart health hosted by Employee Wellness Jacksonville Registered Dietitian Jon Vredenburg and onsite wellness coordinator Nick Tennant. Explore techniques for addressing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease.

Resources

Engage with these resources for promoting heart health through nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle change. Resources include streamed fitness classes, nutrition challenges, meditation resources, and more.

Nutrition Resources

American Heart Association

Heart-Healthy Diet Tips

Explore the American Heart Association’s website for the latest tips on managing your blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet. Learn about the Heart-Check Certification program to complete details on the DASH diet.

family of four at dinner table eating chicken and salad, smiling.

wellness challenge

Sweet and Salty

Participate in our three-week sweet and salty challenge to learn how much sugar and salt is actually in your diet. Receive daily reminders and emails with information and resources.

logo of sweet and salty nutrition challenge

interactive presentation

Mindful Eating

Explore this interactive virtual presentation to learn the why, when, what, and where of your eating cycle to break any unhealthy eating behaviors. Learn to eat with intention and enjoy your food.

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wellness presentations

Video Library

View our comprehensive library of nutrition presentations, including nutrition and immune function, nutrition mythbusters, food safety FAQ, and all about sugar.

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Fitness Resources

wellness resource

Live-Streamed Classes

Join your GatorCare Wellness Team for weekly live-streamed wellness classes. Strength, cardio, stretching, and meditation are all available.

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wellness resource

Pre-Recorded Classes

UF RecSports offers hundreds of recorded interval training, core, yogalates classes, and more. Ranging from 30-60 minutes, these classes will help you achieve your fitness goals wherever you are, whenever is best for you.

employees stretching together in office

Wellness Resource

Barriers to Exercise

Wanting to exercise more but having a hard time getting started? This worksheet helps guide you through your motivation to work out, setting achievable goals, and identifying and overcoming barriers. Create your fitness plan today!

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Wellness Resources

Wellness Challenge

Healthy Lifestyle Program

Join this six-week virtual series exploring different elements of creating a healthy lifestyle. Session topics include goal setting, physical activity, nutrition, energy balance, stress management, and resilience. Participate at your own pace.

pair of sky blue converses bordering a heart-shaped bowl full of healthy foods

wellness resource

Meditation Resources

Explore our meditation and relaxation resources, including live-streamed classes, pre-recorded sessions, and a self-guided meditation challenge. Sign up for a weekly mindfulness email and receive presentations by field experts.

person meditating in forest