Community-centered care strengthens heart health across Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — At the heart of every community are the people who keep it moving — caring for families, supporting neighbors and showing up for one another every day.

When Larry Schaefer returned home after a cardiac-related hospitalization at AdventHealth Orlando, post-hospital care was essential to his long-term recovery. Through a pilot collaboration with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Larry received medically tailored meals — highlighting the critical role that nutrition plays in supporting whole-person recovery and long-term cardiovascular health.

“I was admitted to the hospital at AdventHealth on September 25, 2025 and within the first week back home, I lost three pounds just from eating healthy,” Larry said. “The ministry that they’re providing through this program is just amazing. I’m so grateful.”

Through the program, more than 7,000 meals have been distributed to senior patients recovering from cardiac-related hospitalizations, helping to promote healthy eating habits following discharge. For participants like Larry, this additional support made a meaningful difference. Since its launch, 95% of patients enrolled in the program have not required hospital readmission during the recovery period, underscoring the role of nutritious food access in supporting cardiac care. Stories like Larry's reflect a broader truth across Central Florida: protecting heart health requires collaborative clinical and community care.

While heart disease continues to impact millions of people across the United States, there are meaningful steps Central Florida residents and community organizations can take to reduce risk and build a stronger foundation for lifelong cardiovascular well-being. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease remains the most significant health challenge, affecting 48.6% of adults throughout the nation, with stroke continuing to be a leading cause of long-term disability. High blood pressure, or hypertension, remains especially prevalent in the United States, and significantly increases the risk of heart-related complications.

Dr. Carol Ma, a cardiologist at AdventHealth Orlando, says focusing on a few behaviors can have a significant impact on cardiac health over time:

1. Everyone should be paying attention to their heart health. Heart disease isn’t just a men’s health issue. It highly impacts women in the U.S. as well.

2. Weight is a risk factor for heart diseases, but other factors that impact heart health also include: family history, diet, blood pressure, cholesterol, diet.

3. Exercise is important. If you’re moving — taking stairs, walking and doing yardwork — it helps tremendously.

Supporting heart health requires both personal action and community-wide efforts that create safer, healthier environments for all. For AdventHealth Central Florida, improving heart health across the region means partnering with community organizations to meet people where they are — in neighborhoods, workplaces and shared public spaces.

For example, in 2025, a groundbreaking initiative with the AHA and the City of Orlando brought automated external defibrillators, more commonly known as AEDs, to 15 LYNX LYMMO buses serving downtown Orlando. In addition to this initiative, AHA’s partnership has provided local community organizations, like One Heart for Women and Children, with lifesaving AEDs, hands-on CPR and First Aid training for staff members. Over the past year, the organization has reached thousands across the region, resulting in more than 25,000 Central Florida residents trained in CPR and nearly 100,000 patients impacted by the AHA’s clinical quality improvement programs. These tools and skills are vital in helping staff quickly and effectively respond to cardiac emergencies — saving lives within their communities.

These outcomes highlight that the work we are doing together can only be sustained through collaborative leadership and a commitment to community engagement. This year, that commitment is further reflected through the appointment of Mike Mewhirter, CEO of AdventHealth Celebration, as the new chair of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

“I’m serving as chair of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk because this cause is deeply personal to me. I do it in honor of my father, who passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest 18 years ago, a moment that strengthened my commitment to making sure more families are prepared and protected," Mewhirter said.

"When leaders step up to support CPR education, heart health awareness and community training, we help equip our communities with the knowledge and confidence to act when every second counts.”

Later this year, community members will have the opportunity to take part in the movement and promote heart health by registering for the 2026 American Heart Association Heart Walk. Participation helps raise awareness, support lifesaving research and further amplify the importance of heart disease prevention, treatment and recovery across the region. Together, individual action, community partnerships and shared leadership continue to move heart health forward — strengthening communities across Central Florida in body, mind and spirit, one step at a time.

For more information on cardiac care in Central Florida, visit adventhealth.com.