Love Your Heart: The Connection Between Heart Health, Cancer, and Nutrition

a photo of a heart outline made from cherries against a wooden backgroundFebruary is a month of love, but it’s also a time to raise awareness about critical health issues affecting women, especially African American women and older adults. With Valentine’s Day symbolizing love and connection and World Pulses Day (February 10) promoting heart-healthy nutrition, it’s the perfect time to discuss how we can show love to our hearts and bodies.

 

The Link Between Heart Health and Cancer

Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death among women in the United States, particularly for older adults. While they may seem like separate health concerns, they are closely connected. Cancer treatments—such as chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy—can increase the risk of heart disease, especially in aging adults whose cardiovascular systems may already be weakened. Additionally, both heart disease and cancer share common risk factors, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress.

African American women, in particular, face a higher risk for both conditions. They are more likely to develop heart disease earlier in life and experience more aggressive forms of breast cancer. Social determinants of health—such as limited access to nutritious foods, healthcare disparities, and high levels of stress—play a significant role in these health inequities.

 

Why Heart Health Matters for Women, Especially Older Adults

Women often experience different symptoms of heart disease than men, making it harder to recognize the warning signs. Instead of the classic chest pain, women may feel shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, or jaw pain. Unfortunately, heart disease is sometimes overlooked in women, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes.

For older women, the risk increases with age due to factors such as:

  • Arterial Stiffening – Blood vessels lose elasticity, making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently.
  • Menopause-Related Changes – Declining estrogen levels can lead to higher cholesterol and increased cardiovascular risk.
  • Weakened Heart Muscle – Aging can lead to heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
  • Multiple Chronic Conditions – Many older adults manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis, which can compound heart health risks.

For older African American women, the risks are even more pronounced. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 50% of Black women over the age of 20 have some form of heart disease, with numbers increasing significantly among seniors. High blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes remain leading causes, yet many of these conditions can be managed through lifestyle changes.

To learn more about the risk and signs of heart disease and to increase awareness, visit www.goredforwomen.org

 

World Pulses Day: A Celebration of Heart-Healthy Foods

One simple yet powerful way to support heart health is through nutrition. That’s where World Pulses Day, February 10 comes in. Pulses—such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas—are packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and essential nutrients that support heart health.

For older adults, pulses are particularly beneficial because they:

  • Help lower cholesterol naturally, reducing the risk of heart disease.
  • Are high in soluble fiber, aiding in digestion and preventing constipation, a common issue in aging.
  • Are gentle on blood sugar levels, making them great for those managing diabetes.
  • Provide plant-based protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle strength and bone health.

For African American women, incorporating more pulses into traditional dishes can be a delicious and health-conscious choice. Try adding black-eyed peas to salads, making lentil-based soups, or substituting beans for meat in stews.

 

Show Your Heart Some Love This Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, go beyond chocolates and flowers—show love to your heart and encourage others to do the same. Here are a few heart-healthy ways for older adults to celebrate:

  1. Cook a Heart-Healthy Meal – Prepare a meal rich in pulses, vegetables, and healthy fats.
  2. Move Together – Engage in low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or chair yoga.
  3. Get Screened – Regular check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart function are crucial as we age.
  4. Stay Socially Connected – Loneliness can contribute to heart disease; spend time with loved ones or join community groups.
  5. Spread Awareness – Share information about heart disease and cancer prevention with the women in your life.

A Lifetime of Love for Your Heart

Aging doesn’t mean giving up on good health. In fact, it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes that benefit your heart. By embracing heart-healthy habits, staying active, and making mindful food choices, older adults—especially African American women—can take control of their heart health and overall well-being.

This February, let’s celebrate love—not just for others, but for our hearts and our health.

Four Quick Healthy Aging Updates

How do you participate in ActiveAgers?

We’re receiving this question often and thrilled to see the interest! If you’re running any physical activity programs through your center, you’re essentially participating. To make it official, submit a summary of your classes with participation numbers (not names). All you need to do is export a report of your physical activity program from the software you’re using (My Senior Center, ServTracker, etc.)

We are collecting your data in two phases so we can hold two raffle drawings this year. Submit your first report by September 15. This report covers January 1 – August 30. See p.4 in the toolkit for more information. Winners will be drawn mid-September.

Remember to share your fitness stories online and use #ActiveAgers so we can easily find everyone across the state!

Contact Tara@mcoaonline.com 413-923-2160 with questions.

 

Action Alert for OAA Reauthorization Act of 2024!

We have the first reduction in the Older Americans Act nutrition program in years with an $8 million overall cut. Neither the Senate nor the House proposal has restored this cut. Convey your personalized message that cuts hurt! As there is no House bill, ask them to co-sponsor or publicly support S4776.

 

Become a SNAP Community Partner!

If your COA provides SNAP outreach or assistance, you can become a community partner and receive reimbursement for your efforts. If aren’t doing so but are interested, this message is also for you! Monthly SNAP Community Partner webinars are offered through UMass Medical. Contact and answer all your questions. Contact Jayna Mistry at snap@umassmed.edu, 508-856-3139

 

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Pilot

There are now fourteen restaurants and food truck statewide accepting SNAP benefits as payment. Six more are becoming certified. Search here to find an establishment near you.

ActiveAgers launching in April!

logo with text MCOA and active agers and stylized human figure in spread eagle pose

It’s that time of year where we usually launch the Walk Massachusetts Challenge. While we always support walking, we’re expanding the annual physical activity program celebrating your efforts at the local level. May we introduce, MCOA’s ActiveAgers program!

MCOA ActiveAgers is a statewide umbrella under which councils on aging (COAs) can execute their own fitness-related challenge. Each COA may create or identify an existing fitness program encouraging regular activity. Programs must run for a minimum of one day for four consecutive weeks in calendar year 2024. 

The MCOA Active Agers program:

    • is inclusive to all, flexible on ability levels and adaptable to existing local resources
    • focuses on recognition more than competition
    • provides a simple toolkit containing templates, tools, suggestions and more for COAs short on time, resources or both
    • incentivizes participation via raffle-based prizes to individuals and councils on aging
    • incorporates monthly kick-off, wrap-up or celebration events throughout the state supported by MCOA staff
    • establishes a statewide day of celebration in September
    • includes a robust social media campaign with a dedicated hashtag and publishing calendar, initiated by MCOA, and amplified by local programs.

While we’re officially launching this in April, eligible programs run since January 1 (and their participants) are eligible for prizes. Gather up your data and stay tuned for submission instructions and more information.

We look forward to celebrating all the ActiveAgers this year!

For questions, contact Tara Hammes at tara@mcoaonline.com.

Every Month is Nutrition Month

Every Month is Nutrition Month

As we wind down National Nutrition Month (NNM®), let’s remember good nutrition is important at every life stage. Being well nourished is key to healthy aging. After all, who doesn’t want to avoid chronic diseases, falls, hospitalizations and more?

Here you will find resources for personal and professional use, for sharing, for learning and for enjoying. Begin with the NNM® Eating Right Tips for Older Adults.

Make every month nutrition month by using our Nutrition News You Can Use resources. Here you’ll find monthly text, recipes and photos highlighting a specific nutrient, condition or observance. Use the information as is to educate, or as inspiration for related programming. Check out what’s on deck and reach out with questions!

April – Arab American Heritage Month 
During the month of April, the Arab American Foundation celebrates the culture and achievements of Arab Americans across the nation. Read/Download

May – Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Since May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month it’s a great time to tackle misinformation that surrounds the gluten-free diet and celiac disease. Read/Download

June – Beet Season
Summer is officially here and so are beets. Read/Download

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutrition News You can Use | Novemeber 7, 2023

Continuing Resolution With the partial government shutdown looming again, please note SNAP funding will not be impacted and benefits through December will be distributed. Also, the current continuing resolution provides FY23 funding levels of the Older Americans Act. LIHEAP and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are authorized to spend additional resources. The CSFP is also known as a ‘food box for elders’. Contact your local food bank to find your nearest CSFP distribution site.  
 
Food Insecurity Consider having to answer yes to any of the following: worried your food would run out, the food you bought didn’t last, could not afford a balanced meal, cut the size of or skipped a meal, ate less than felt you should, were hungry but did not eat, lost weight, didn’t eat for a whole day one time or for more than three months. These questions help determine food insecurity. The updated report: Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 was released with key stats: 
  • 12.8 percent (17.0 million households) were food insecure (had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members because of a lack of resources)
  •  5.1 percent (6.8 million households) had very low food security (food intake of some household members was reduced, and normal eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because of limited resources)
  • About 22.9 percent of all food-insecure households included adults aged 65 and older. Of those experiencing very low food insecurity, 3.4 percent of households included adults 65+
While the averages in Massachusetts are lower than the national average, our numbers are too high. As expected, food insecurity was more common in rural areas than urban areas, and Black and Latino households were disproportionately affected.
Indigenous Elders
  •  A webinar on the healing potential of food as medicine and its impact on the health of Indigenous elder – November 9, 1-2pm. Speakers will discuss promoting healthier food choices and lifestyles among older adults in Indigenous communities, supporting holistic health for our elders. Check here for more info/to register
  • Defeat Malnutrition Today and the National Hispanic Council on Aging have come together to propose important recommendations for the upcoming 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans plays a pivotal role in shaping nutrition programs for older adults. DMT and NHCOA’s recommendations include differentiating 60+ and 75 or 85 and above as two age groups, incorporating chronic disease, addressing food access and affordability, accommodating diverse ethnic and cultural dietary preferences, and educating older adults on the guidelines. By considering these insights, the DGA can better serve the unique nutritional needs of older adults, promoting their overall well-being and quality of life through healthier food.
Nutrition Hub USDA recently introduced a pilot Nutrition Hub under the Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) initiative. The Nutrition Hub is in partnership with Southern University, a historically black 1890 Land-grant University in Louisiana. The Nutrition Hub aims to offer science-based, nutrition-related information at the community level, focusing on underserved communities affected by diet-related chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This initiative aligns with the commitments made during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and food security in overall health, including disease prevention and management.
Let’s Get Physical
  • The Walk Massachusetts Challenge ended October 31. If you had any difficulty entering your data, email it directly to tara@mcoaonline.com by November 10 at 5p.
  • MA DPH has an online survey for people with disabilities across Massachusetts to understand their needs. They are looking for more responses from older adults. The survey is available in 12 languages.
Public Health Survey Please help the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Office of Local & Regional Health (OLRH) evaluate and improve our performance by participating in a new survey, developed for local public health professionals and partners. This survey assesses the understanding of and satisfaction with the services provided by OLRH.