In the over three decades of hosting a radio talk show at KHVH 830, I've trafficked in opinion regarding a wide range of topicality. However I am also committed to sharing the mission and opportunities found with excellent organizations that are equally committed to serving and benefitting our community.
I recently had the pleasure of hosting members of the American Heart Association - Hawai‘i Chapter and the information provided, both medical and personal, highlights such an organization.
February is American Heart Month, a nationwide observance that spotlights cardiovascular disease and the need for more lifesavers. First proclaimed in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, American Heart Month began as a national call to take charge of your heart health. (heart.org)
I understand there are various months dedicated to various health conditions and challenges. There is no intent to diminish the importance of any of them but the heart is the engine of the human body which deserves our collective attention.
So why is it important to have a healthy heart?
When your heart is healthy, it can pump blood more efficiently, reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, a healthy heart can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve digestion, cognitive development, reduce stress, and improve your overall quality of life.
What are some guidelines to achieve heart health?
You can control heart health through seven key areas, often called "Life's Simple 7:"
Eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, managing cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar levels in check, with additional steps like managing stress, getting enough sleep, and regular checkups enhancing protection.
What causes heart failure?
Dr. Debleena Dutt, volunteer board member, American Heart Association, and cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente says, "There are many things that will cause the heart muscle to not perform well. There are two different types of heart failure. One is where the heart muscle fails to pump effectively and that can be due to family history, you have a gene that pre-disposes you to a weak heart, you've had a heart attack which has damaged some of the heart muscle causing it not to perform well or excessive lifestyle choices such as alcohol use, cocaine, meth; these can also affect your heart function. The second type of heart failure is that over time the heart muscle stiffens. It's amazing because we actually do have treatment for this type of heart failure which affects over 50% diagnosed and we have really good treatments that are good for both types."
Dr. Dutt's involvement with the American Heart Association - Hawai‘i Chapter supports her primary passion which is heart disease in women. "I believe it's often underrecognized how important it is to take control of heart health in women", says Dr. Dutt.
With this in mind, National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6, 2026.
Men, women and families around the country and here at home will be wearing the color red in support of women’s cardiovascular health, sharing information and resources, and donating to support research and education. You can learn more and wear YOUR red by going to www.goredforwomen.org.
Heart disease does pose unique threats to women.
Terrianne Butac is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor.
She's a local girl who grew up to become what her passion has been from an early age - a professional dancer. But there were some health-connected speedbumps along the way, including her high school years where she encountered episodes and shares that her doctors didn't really know what was causing it.
The episodes.
"I would tend to just faint out of nowhere. A few times I would hit my head and once I had a Grand Mal seizure because of the impact when I hit the floor so hard," recounts Terrianne. She explained during these episodes she would, "pass out for a couple minutes (so people would say) and sometimes I was taken to the hospital and other times I would wake up where I fainted and said that's OK, I'm fine, I'm fine."
The assumptions for these episodes included that she must not be hydrating enough, didn't eat enough when she was dancing, it was stress from schoolwork plus dancing and more. However, the cause of her episodes was recently revealed.
Terrianne and her husband learned of the unexpected passing of her beloved grandfather, and they attended his funeral service in downtown Honolulu. She shares, "He was my last grandparent, and he was my favorite." One of her responsibilities with other family members was to deliver a thoughtful and personal message of aloha regarding someone she loved so much.
As she was preparing to take to the podium, that's when she felt the familiar sensations that something was wrong. The last thing she wanted was to have an episode in front of those attending. Asking her husband for "a great big bear hug" for support, Terrianne proceeded to the podium. A brief rustling of her papers she then slumped to the ground and went into sudden cardiac arrest.
There are so many harrowing details to her story including her heart stopping, resuscitation, coma and hospitalization.
The question of possible brain damage was raised. Thankfully and perhaps miraculously Terrianne has made a virtually complete recovery and is progressing well. If there is an upside to her story due to this event doctors were finally able to diagnose Terrianne's affliction; Long QT Syndrome.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart rhythm disorder that causes fast, chaotic heartbeats. The irregular heartbeats can be life-threatening.
But Terrianne views this through a positive lens. "The cardiac arrest saved my life instead of taking it."
Terrianne is a dedicated volunteer with the American Heart Association both in Los Angeles and Hawai‘i giving of her time and mentorship in assisting others.
Brandt Farias is the EVP, chief marketing Officer, Central Pacific Bank and the volunteer board chair of the American Heart Association Hawai‘i. He emphasizes the importance of American Heart Month in February. "It means a lot. It keeps people healthy and keeps fundraising dollars coming in so we can fund the research. In general, it's a really important time for us."
A dominant message of American Heart Month is, "You Are A First Responder Until Help Arrives."
Brandt shares, "If there's an episode somwhere and something happens calling 911 is fine and is the first thing you tend to do but you have to act quicker. Something will happen to the individual and oftentimes it will be fatal. So, we have something called 'Hands Free CPR' where very quickly you can do chest compressions to the individuals chest and oftentimes that can save a life".
The message being given during American Heart Month is for us all to be aware, be informed and be willing to help those in need.
Seems to me this is a timeless message that hopefully we can all support every month.
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