Launched in January at Florida PACE Centers Westchester, the second class of the Healthy Hearts Program had a graduation ceremony in May. This special event honored the hard work, commitment, and progress each participant made toward improving their heart health. Congratulations to our graduates – we are proud of your dedication to living a healthier life!
Participants, selected by the Florida PACE Centers’ interdisciplinary team based on their cardiac history, benefit from the Healthy Hearts Program’s comprehensive approach, which includes 36 therapy sessions and 18 educational group sessions on lifestyle modifications that focus on cardiac health.
The results for Westchester were outstanding. The eight participants ended the program with great gains in heart rate reserve, improving an average of 10 BPM (from a mean of 76.8 to 86.5). Grip strength for the group also increased an impressive amount from a mean of 52.9 lbs to 61.9 lbs.
Thank you to our interdisciplinary team of social workers, therapists, and coordinators who made this program a success. To learn more and support the Healthy Hearts program please donate to our THRIVE Campaign.
About Heart Rate Reserve
Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) is the difference between one’s resting and maximum heart rates. It shows how much “room” your heart has to speed up when your body needs more oxygen and energy — like during exercise or stress.
Think of it like a car engine: a bigger HRR means your heart can adjust more efficiently, like a car that can go from low to high speed smoothly when needed. A small HRR might mean your heart is less flexible, which can be a sign of poor fitness or even health problems.
When you exercise regularly (especially with aerobic activities like walking, biking, and swimming):
- Your resting heart rate often goes down (your heart becomes more efficient).
- Your maximum heart rate may stay the same or slightly improve.
- Your HRR score gets better because the difference between your resting and maximum heart rates increases.
A better HRR is linked to lower risk of heart disease and better overall fitness. It also means:
- Your heart is stronger and healthier
- Your body can handle physical activity more easily
- You recover faster after exertion