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.
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.
- A Closer Look at Heart Disease and Stroke
- The Science Behind Habit Formation
- Simplifying Nutrition and Weight Control
- Stress, Depression, and Heart Disease
- Using Medications Wisely
- Re-thinking Physical Activity and Goal Setting
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
wellness challenge
12 Tweaks to a Healthier You
Participate in 12 wellness challenges focusing on nutrition, physical fitness, sleep, emotional wellness, and more. Complete at your own pace.
