The Gospel Truth - March 2021

TO BE INSTALLED AS NEW PASTOR OF HISTORIC MOUNT MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sandy Walker, Publisher

In the wee hours of the morning the Lord is with me. His love abounds in my spirit. I feel His presence throughout the day.

Father, You are such a loving and forgiving God. I am but a speck in Your universe but somehow I know that I matter greatly to You. Though I have never seen You or heard the audible sound of Your voice, You speak to me. I feel Your smile. You comfort me when I am down and You lift my spirit when all else fails. I am not deserving but I am appreciative. I cannot earn the Love You have placed in my heart. Today is a Blessed day as it is yet another day You have allowed to manifest before my eyes. I behold the beauty of this magnificent creation. The sun will rise and the sun will set because You have allowed it to do so. You are God!!

PUBLISHER

Sandy Walker

Publisher’s Prayer

Sandy Walker

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Sommer W. Davis

EDITOR

Jamil Rivers

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Robert Walker

My Father, My God:

Father, in the Name of Jesus:

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Moderator Johnny L. Barber

Anika Madison

All is well with my soul as I focus my attention solely on You. I am thankful as I breathe the air You so graciously provide to me each day. How wonderful it is to be Your child. How wonderful it is to know that You are in charge. I am thankful Dear Lord for the blessings You continue to bestow. Father I know that I am in no way worthy of all that You give to me. You give me peace and love. You give me food to nourish my body. You give me all that I need to survive. Your blessings are so much appreciated as You place the right people in my life and in my path each day. I know Father that You are also placing me in the path of others so that I might do Your will in being a blessing as well. Keep my eyes open, Dear Lord, so that I might see those in need.

I am eternally grateful for the love You continue to bestow upon me. You love me unconditionally with all of my issues and all of my faults. You love me, Father, in spite of myself. I thank You for being with me always. I am comforted by the knowledge that You are with me every moment of my life.

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Lord as I navigate this wonderful journey called life I am eternally thankful for the love you continue to surround me with. I am thankful for the love and support of my amazing family. There is nothing I have done or could ever do to earn the blessings You continue to bestow upon me. Father I pray to be a blessing to others as you so generously bless me. You, my Lord are so worthy to be praised.

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Father I pray for all of Your children who are feeling

Father I pray for peace during these uncertain times. As much as we try to figure it all out, Lord You already know. When I find myself pondering the circumstances of the day I take comfort in the fact that You are in charge!

The Seasons of Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are – and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life – can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall.

Don’t judge a life by one difficult season. Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: The Pebble

In a small Italian town, hundreds of years ago, a small business owner owed a large sum of money to a loan-shark. The loan-shark was a very old, unattractive looking guy that just so happened to fancy the business owner’s daughter.

He decided to offer the businessman a deal that would completely wipe out the debt he owed him. However, the catch was that we would only wipe out the debt if he could marry the businessman’s daughter.

Needless to say, this proposal was met with a look of disgust. The loan-shark said that he would place two pebbles into a bag, one white and one black.

The daughter would then have to reach into the bag and pick out a pebble. If it was black, the debt would be wiped, but the loan-shark would then marry her. If it was white, the debt would also be wiped, but the daughter wouldn’t have to marry the loan-shark.

Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the businessman’s garden, the loan-shark bent over and picked up two pebbles. Whilst he was picking them up, the daughter noticed that he’d picked up two black pebbles and placed them both into the bag.

He then asked the daughter to reach into the bag and pick one.

The daughter naturally had three choices as to what she could have done:

Refuse to pick a pebble from the bag.

Take both pebbles out of the bag and expose the loan-shark for cheating.

Pick a pebble from the bag fully well knowing it was black and sacrifice herself for her father’s freedom.

She drew out a pebble from the bag, and before looking at it ‘accidentally’ dropped it into the midst of the other pebbles. She said to the loan-shark;

“Oh, how clumsy of me. Never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”

The pebble left in the bag is obviously black, and seeing as the loan-shark didn’t want to be exposed, he had to play along as if the pebble the daughter dropped was white, and clear her father’s debt.

Moral of the story:

It’s always possible to not give in to the only options you think you have to pick from when you think outside of the box.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH | Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

Daniella Levine Cava was elected Miami-Dade County’s first-ever woman Mayor in November 2020. She enters the Mayor’s office following a nearly 40-year career as a relentless advocate for South Florida families in public service and elected leadership.

As Miami-Dade County’s Mayor, she oversees a metropolitan government with more than 28,000 employees serving nearly 3 million residents, managing an annual budget of approximately $9 billion.

A social worker, lawyer, and community activist, she was first elected in 2014, and re-elected in August 2018, to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner representing District 8.

As Commissioner, she invested in Miami-Dade small businesses and expanded economic opportunity, protected the environment and our water, increased the County police force for underserved areas, advocated for an expanded, reliable public transportation system, worked to create affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods, and helped make local government more accountable and transparent.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, she has advocated for a more effective public health response and worked to provide millions of federal CARES Act dollars in relief to struggling families and small businesses. As the new Mayor, she will begin working immediately with city leaders, the business community, and medical experts to create a unified pandemic response strategy that protects Miami-Dade’s lives and livelihoods.

With the creation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion she seeks to address disparities faced by people of color, women, the disabled and others who are often marginalized. Mayor Levine Cava came to elected office after having served as an advocate for South Florida families for over 30 years. She served special needs children and immigrants at Legal Services of Greater Miami, and then represented children in the child welfare system as Associate and Legal Director for the Guardian Ad Litem Program.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, she was recruited to create a new intake system for child abuse cases with the Department for Children and Families. Her efforts were concentrated on the neighborhoods of District 8 where she helped restore the lives and homes of those devastated by the storm.

In 1996, Mayor Levine Cava founded Catalyst Miami to help low- and middle-income families through service, education, and advocacy. Catalyst helps approximately 5,000 people each year to become more self-sufficient and civically engaged.

She is the Immediate Past Chair of the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) and served as an SFRPC Council Member from 2015 – 2020. She has served on the Florida Bar Committee on Legal Needs of Children; the boards of League of Women Voters, Orange Bowl Foundation, North Dade Medical Foundation, South Florida Health Information Initiative, and several national boards. She’s won numerous awards from various organizations including: the Commission on Ethics, Red Cross, American Society for Public Administration, ACLU, National Council of Jewish Women, AAUW, among others.

Born in New York and raised partly in Latin America, Mayor Levine Cava received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors from Yale University and graduate degrees in law and social work from Columbia University.

She came to South Florida in 1980 to join her husband, Dr. Robert Cava, a Miami native, who returned home to join his father in medical practice. Daniella and Robert raised two children, Eliza and Edward Cava, in Miami-Dade, supported by strong networks of friends, families, and co-workers.

REV. DR. REMIEL LOCKWOOD TO BE INSTALLED AS NEW PASTOR

OF HISTORIC MOUNT MORIAH

MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

3-Day Installation Celebration taking place April 16th – April 18th

Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church of West Perrine, proudly announces the installation of their seventh pastor in its 101-year history. The Rev. Dr. Remiel Lockwood will officially be installed as the Senior Pastor with his church family, family and the community. Entitled “A Year of Restoration, Renewal and Revival,” the installation services will take place April 16th – April 18th and include worship services, an installation brunch, and the culminating pastoral installation ceremony.

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Rev. Dr. Lockwood began preaching at the age of 14 where he preached his first official sermon at the Greater Bethlehem Healing & Deliverance Temple under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Aleta E. McCurty, entitled “A Sacrifice of Praise.” Since that time, Rev. Dr. Lockwood has traveled domestically and internationally spreading the gospel within the United States, Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.

Rev. Dr. Lockwood attended Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Florida attaining two degrees in the areas of Business Administration and Management with a concentration in Human Resources. He re-

ceived his Master of Divinity Degree in Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Ministry Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Prior to being called to serve as Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church’s seventh Pastor, Rev. Dr. Lockwood served faithfully under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Carol Nash Lester at Bethel Apostolic Temple of Miami for 17 years.

Rev. Dr. Lockwood is the author the “The Danger of Stimulation,” “I Can Breathe Again,” and “10 Essential Tools for Overcoming Pastoral Stress.” He is the husband of Lady Javonn Lockwood, MSN. ED and the proud father of Faith Lockwood.

Founded in 1919, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest Missionary Baptist Church in West Perrine, Florida. It is a well-established traditionally faith-based Missionary Baptist Church, rich in legacy and family/community values.

INSTALLATION SERVICES

Friday, April 16, 2021

7:00 p.m.

Pre-Installation Worship Service

Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church

16900 SW 100th Avenue Miami, FL 33157

Saturday, April 17, 2021

11:00 a.m.

Installation Brunch

94th Aero Squadron 1395 NW 57th Avenue

Miami, FL 33126

Tickets $40 per person

Sunday, April 18, 2021

8:00 a.m.

Morning Worship Service

Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church

16900 SW 100th Avenue Miami, FL 33157

Sunday, April 18, 2021 4:00 p.m.

Pastoral Installation Service

Bethel Apostolic Temple 1855 N.W. 119th Street

Miami, FL 33167

For more information or for ticket purchase details, please contact (305) 253-1693 or email d.andrus@3mbcmiami.org.

The Links, Incorporated, 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund and Opportunity Hub Join Forces to Launch a National Multi-Generational Wealth Creation Initiative

Leading Black Organizations Partner to Increase Investment in The Black Technology Ecosystem and Drive Opportunities for The Link Members and the Communities They Serve

100 Black Angels & Allies Fund, Opportunity Hub and The Links, Incorporated announce a national initiative to create multi-generational wealth in the Black community and beyond by investing in Black owned venture funds, technology startups and ecosystem building companies.

As of 2016, the $171,000 average net worth of a typical White family was 10 times greater than the average $17,150 net worth of a typical Black family, according to the Brookings Institution. In 2018, The Washington Post reported that the number of Black decision-makers in venture capital dropped to 1 percent — representing just seven Black people at the 102 largest venture capital firms in the United States, according to an annual survey by the Information, a tech news outlet. In 2019, according to the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor, the authoritative quarterly report on venture capital activity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with support from Silicon Valley Bank and Carta, less than 1% of the $136.5 billion invested in approximately 11,000 US-based companies that are responsible for creating 60% of net new jobs went to Black high growth entrepreneurs. Yet, according to a Washington Post analysis of data

from the Federal Reserve 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances, 1% percent of Black Americans, approximately 440,000, have a net worth over one million dollars while 1.8%, approximately 792,000, generate over $200,000 annually in income.

Under its agreement, The Links, Incorporated through The Links Economic Empowerment Platform (LEEP) will make a strategic investment in the 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund and will work with the Fund to create Black angel investors, limited partners, venture capitalists and equity crowdfunding investors. The objective of the partnership is to diversify the ownership and capitalization tables of our nation’s high growth Black owned startups and venture funds while ensuring career pathways for those who are often overlooked.

The Links, Incorporated will also:

• Collaborate with 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund, The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Kenan Flagler Business Scale School, Duke University, North Carolina Central University and other HBCU’s to launch a first of its kind “Black Technology

Ecosystem Investment” Certificate Program. The program is scheduled to launch in the Fall of 2021;

• Create, together with OHUB, a pitch competition to launch at The Links 2022 National Assembly aimed at expanding opportunities and access to early-stage capital;

• Host member-only webinars with equity crowdfunding and blockchain pioneers and authorities to inform the membership on the possibilities to further provide access to early-stage startup capital via the Jumpstart Our Startups Act and cryptocurrency investments, respectively;

• Provide Links members with access to OHUB-identified board advisor, director and executive roles at high growth, venture backed technology startup companies; and

• Expand its HBCU initiative by providing student memberships and scholarships to OHUB and OHUB.SXSW, respectively.

“We are proud to announce a game-changing strategic partnership with 100 Black Angels & Allies and OHUB,” said Dr. Kimberly Jeffries, National President of The Links, Incorporated. “It is consistent with our Founders’ vision of leadership in this ever-changing environment. As the organization, its members, communities and partners grapple with the unprecedented impacts of a global pandemic,” she continued, “We believe more than ever the need for innovation, next level thinking, action and collaborations which are critical for relevance, value, wealth creation and resiliency.”

“Women of African descent have been the foundation of generational wealth creation for the Black American family,” said Sampson, who serves as General Partner, 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund; Executive Chairman & CEO, OHUB; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; and Keohane Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. “It’s fitting that they be given vetted access to the current opportunities in the tech, startup and venture ecosystem to create new multi-generational wealth for our families and communities,” he said.

About The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-forprofit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

About Opportunity Hub

Opportunity Hub (OHUB), co-founded in 2013 in Atlanta, GA by Rodney and Shanterria Sampson as a follow up to the highly successful Kingonomics’ book release and large scale conferences, is the leading technology, startup, and venture ecosystem development platform created to ensure everyone, everywhere has a path to multi-generational wealth creation with no reliance on pre-existing multi-generational wealth. Today, OHUB is the parent holding company of a suite of businesses committed to increasing racial equity in the fourth industrial revolution; including a not-for-profit foundation and an ecosystem enablement investment fund, 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund.

About 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund

The mission of 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund is to align smart, affluent, innovative and skilled Black and ally capital to build a scalable and sustainable Black technology, startup entrepreneurship and venture ecosystem that powers a global Diasporic engine and platform to ensure that Black people everywhere are equitably represented at all levels in the startup ecosystem as a path definitive path to increasing equitable innovation density in cities across America and beyond.

For many years I worked out and tried nearly every workout craze that existed. I used to put in long hours at the gym. I would work out with various personal trainers to achieve a cut and defined body.

Then I met someone who was in incredible shape and asked them what they did to stay in shape. They let me in on their secret: high-intensity interval training or HIIT workouts.

Surprisingly, short – but intense – periods of exercise are more effective than working out for a longer, continuous period. Fifteen or 20-minute intervals of intense exercise, studies have shown, can increase fitness and help burn more fat.

Richard Cotton, the National Director of Certification at the American College of Sports Medicine, told TIME, “The return on investment of interval training is fabulous, and it keeps exercise interesting.”

What is HIIT Workout?

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Tabata (a type of HIIT) are short, intense workouts. They are usually 20 minutes or less.

Doing a 20-minute workout to achieve maximum results seemed counterintuitive to me and it probably does to you as well. You may have been taught to do 30 min-

Short & Intense Workouts: The Secret To Burning More Calories

utes or more of cardio and then do some weight lifting on the back end of your workout.

So, you might be thinking, how is it possible to work out for less than 20 minutes and get in better shape?

HIIT workouts are effective because of the high intensity of the workout and mixing up the variations of what you are doing so that you don’t plateau.

You force your body to work harder for short periods of time, and this results in significant benefits for your body.

Myths of Longer Workouts

Here’s how longer workouts can be less effective than shorter ones: When you workout longer it’s easier to lose interest and harder to stay committed to your workout plan.

But, when you do short, intense interval workouts it’s simpler to commit to exercise for 12 – 20 minutes a day, which keeps you on track.

However, when you do longer workouts, your appetite is greater. This happens because you want to make up for the energy you lose during your workout.

There is almost an entitlement with a longer workout, and you

justify higher rewards in what you eat. This impacts your goal of weight loss.

One study of individuals with Type 2 diabetes found that participants had more benefits when they did interval walking instead of walking one long, continuous time. Their blood sugar levels are more controlled versus those who worked out in a steady-state.

You should alternate between different intensities of exercise. Then, change up the intensity of your exercise.

Allow time to rest between bursts of action creates better results. You can do this by increasing the speed at which you walk. You can also run for a few minutes throughout your workout.

If you want results quicker, HIIT is your best choice. HIIT has a difference in your body in as little as two weeks. It gives you the same results of longer workouts in half the time. This is the kicker: HIIT also helps to give you cardiovascular and muscular benefits while boosting your metabolism. Your body will burn fat and calories much quicker.

Now it makes sense why runners who do sprints had so much muscle and definition in their bodies!

Article

by Elizabeth Overstreet, BlackDoctor.org Contributor

NOT GOING TO THE GYM?

Easy ways to move more that don’t involve the gym Don’t have a 30-minute block of time to dedicate to yoga or a bike ride? Don’t worry. Think about physical activity as a lifestyle rather than just a single task to check off your to-do list. Look at your daily routine and consider ways to sneak in activity here, there, and everywhere.

Move in and around your home. Clean the house, wash the car, tend to the yard and garden, mow the lawn with a push mower, sweep the sidewalk or patio with a broom.

Sneak activity in at work or on the go. Bike or walk to an appointment rather than drive, use stairs instead of elevators, briskly walk to the bus stop then get off one stop early, park at the back of the lot and walk into the store or office, or take a vigorous walk during your coffee break.

Get active with the family. Jog around the soccer field during your kid’s practice, make a neighborhood bike ride part of your weekend routine, play tag with your children in the yard, go canoeing at a lake, walk the dog in a new place.

Get creative with exercise ideas. Pick fruit at an orchard, boogie to music, go to the beach or take a hike, gently stretch while watching television, organize an office bowling team, take a class in martial arts, dance, or yoga.

Make exercise a fun part of your everyday life

You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into long, monotonous workouts to experience the many benefits of exercise. These tips can help you find activities you enjoy and start to feel better, look better, and get more out of life

SBC Community Development Corporation Announces

New Board Members

New board members will enhance SBC Community Development Corporation’s focus on programs and services that address the intergenerational needs of the community.

The SBC Community Development Corporation (SBC CDC) recently announced four new board members who will help support the non-profit’s work to build a solid community through collaborative efforts and partnerships. Their commitment will ultimately provide programs and services that address the intergenerational needs of the community.

“We are elated to expand SBC Community Development Corporation’s board. They will bring diverse expertise and insights to our mission, vision, and programs for the Richmond Heights community and beyond. They are comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to providing strength, stability, and self-reliance toward our efforts,” said Mark Valentine, Executive Director. “Throughout the past few months, we have worked diligently to ensure our board members and leadership will continue to represent a variety of experts from various sectors. Our newest board members are no exception, and we look forward to serving with each of them.

The new board members began their terms with SBC CDC effective February 10, 2021, and can now serve. The four new board members are:

Deon Bush: Deon Bush is entering his sixth NFL season and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2016. Throughout his five seasons with the Bears, Bush has appeared in 65 games with eight total starts. Bush is the Founder of Doby’s Dream, which is a foundation that honors Gary Bush, Deon’s late father, and Gary’s mission to impact those in need within the Miami, Florida community. In addition to Bush’s successful NFL career and Doby’s Dream, he is also a Nike ambassador and an ambassador

for the American Liver Foundation. Bush is a graduate of the University of Miami and Christopher Columbus High School.

Roy Modkins: Roy Modkins is a tool for change. With over 30 years of Corporate Leadership, his business acumen has led to being acknowledged and awarded from top brands such as CNN, The Weather Channel, Mount Sinai Hospital, The Trayvon Martin Foundation, Turner Broadcasting, Baptist Health and Cox Media. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco. For years, his non-profit, The Historic Society, has partnered with SBC Community Development Corporation on countless outreach initiatives. Under the Second Baptist Church ministry, he was married and dedicated his daughter to Christ. He lives in Cutler Bay with his wife and two children.

Jeremiah Payne: Jeremiah Payne is currently the Assistant Financial Aid Director at Trinity International University - Florida and Youth Coordinator at Miami Vineyard Community Church. Payne grew up in the community of Richmond Heights and attended Second Baptist Church for the majority of his life. He benefited from summer camp and the after school programs the CDC provided while he was in elementary and middle school. Not only was he a student in the programs, but throughout his time in high school he returned to instill the lessons he learned to those that came after him. This led him to attend Hampton University where he developed a desire to continue to give back to the community that had given so much to him. He is currently a student and employee at Trinity International University - Florida, finishing his BA in Christian Ministry while serving at Miami Vineyard Community Church in their college/young adult and youth ministries. He and his loving wife, Shauna Parris, have been married since June of 2019.

Antoinette Symonette: Antoinette Symonette is a member of Second Baptist Church, which is the church she grew up in located in Richmond Heights where she still resides. She is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and the University of the Rockies with a Masters of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership. She is civic-minded and most recently co-chaired a girl’s mentorship program through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a business owner and is a licensed life and health insurance agent.

About SBC Community Development Corporation (SBC CDC):

SBC Community Development Corporation (SBC CDC) is a non-profit corporation located in the heart of the Richmond Heights community. The mission of SBC CDC is to build a solid community through collaborative efforts and partnerships that provide programs and services that address the intergenerational needs of the community.

SBC Community Development Corporation began serving the heart of the Richmond Heights community in 2003 under the vision of the late Rev. John A. Ferguson, founder of Second Baptist Church. Rev. Ferguson envisioned building senior housing, providing food and educational services for the community of Richmond Heights.

This vision has grown under the leadership of President Rev. Alphonso Jackson, Sr. SBC CDC has developed four components to bring Rev. Ferguson’s vision to pass, and now serves residents from Kendall to Florida City. The four components consist of human services, educational services, youth services, and community development. Twila Payne, serves as the Chairwoman of the SBC CDC board - charged to bring these services to life.

Many People with Heart Failure Don’t Make Lifestyle Changes

Researchers say few adjust their lifestyle for increase in exercise, limited fluids, and decreased salt intake.

Heart failure affects almost 6 million people in the United States. Failing to make lifestyle changes or take prescribed medications can contribute to worsening symptoms and raises the risk of hospitalization. However, less than 10 percent of those affected will follow their doctor’s recommendations to improve the condition, according to a new study. The researchers found being lonely may be the biggest reason why.

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in late May.

According to the study, the four lifestyle changes involve:

• monitoring weight changes

• reducing salt intake

• reducing fluid intake

• exercising more

Researchers defined following the recommendations as “every day” or “three times a week” for checking their weight and “most of the time” or “all the time” for salt, fluid, and exercise.

“The least followed advice was to increase physical activity and reduce salt and fluids,” said Świątoniowska. “This was surprising because you’d think that limiting liquids or salt would be easy for patients or their caregivers to follow.”

Why recommendations are vital

Dr. Victoria Shin, a cardiologist with Torrance Memorial Medical Center in California, explained that a symptom of heart failure is excess fluid retention and limiting liquids

can address that issue.

Daily weighing is also important because if you’re retaining fluid “one of the manifestations of this is weight gain that’s noticeable over one or two days,” Shin told Healthline. “This can happen before other heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath or swelling show.”

Heart failure can be managed

Dr. Robert Segal, the founder of Manhattan Cardiology in New York, said people with heart failure can have active lives. “Heart failure simply means that the heart is not pumping enough blood, so the body isn’t getting enough oxygen,” Segal told Healthline. “While this is a serious condition, it doesn’t mean that people living with heart failure cannot live a full life. It can be managed.”

“Overall, the prognosis for heart failure has improved significantly over the years with more and more proven therapies,” added Shin. But she cautioned that sometimes the damage is such that the heart muscle is scarred. In that case, recovery may be partial or not at all. “But this also depends on the cause,” said Shin. “If it’s due to substance abuse, stopping that and using the prescribed medications can often help the heart muscle recover. If atherosclerosis is to blame, and the blocked arteries can be fixed, then the heart muscle can recover as well.” Segal added that other causes include diseases such as severe lung disease, diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea. “People who are afflicted with those diseases will likely develop heart failure if it’s not addressed immediately,” he said.

www.mtcalvaryncog.org