Health First Hosts Packed House ‘Heart-to-Heart’ Event to Educate Community on Heart Health

event brought together a panel of renowned Health First cardiologists and surgeons

Space Coast residents learned about high blood pressure, heart disease prevention, and the latest advancements in cardiac care.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but with the right knowledge and proactive care, patients can improve both their quality of life and longevity.

That was the key message at Health First‘s first Lunch & Learn event of 2025, “Heart-to-Heart with the Experts,” held at Addison Village Club.

The event brought together a panel of renowned cardiologists and surgeons, including Dr. Kevin R. Campbell, MD, FACC, MBA; Dr. Sara Khodor, MD; Dr. Thierry Momplaisir, MD, FACC; Dr. Irfan Imami, MD, FACS; and Dr. Vishal Patel, MD, MSc.

With an interactive question-and-answer session, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with these experts on pressing heart health concerns, from high blood pressure and artery plaque buildup to new advancements in heart implants and preventive care.

One notable topic of discussion was emerging technologies and defibrillators, aimed at assisting patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that leads to irregular and often rapid heartbeats. The panel highlighted how advancements in implants and defibrillators are contributing to better patient outcomes.

“A defibrillator reduces the risk of death by approximately 30%,” said Campbell, underscoring the life-saving impact of these devices for patients with severe heart conditions.

There are other defibrillator technologies (called Biventricular ICDs) where a third lead or wire is placed inside the heart to not only prevent sudden death but to also help “resynchronize” the way the heart pumps.

Optimizing heart function was also a key topic. Campbell explained that with both medicines and devices, physicians now focus on helping the heart work in a more geometrically favorable way, leading to better circulation, improved rhythm, and stronger heart performance overall.

Beyond technology, optimizing heart function was also a key topic. Campbell explained that physicians now focus on helping the heart work in a more geometrically favorable way, leading to better circulation, improved rhythm, and stronger heart performance overall.

With hypertension being a top contributor to heart disease, Khodor addressed its prevalence and the importance of personalized care. “Blood pressure, in general, is a very common problem we see routinely,” she said, while reminding attendees that “every patient’s case is a little different.”

However, medication alone isn’t the solution. Momplaisir stressed the role of diet and lifestyle changes in managing blood pressure effectively.

“You have to pay attention to diet. The medication does one part, the other part is you,” he said, urging people to avoid processed foods, chips, and salt, while prioritizing exercise.

“If you commit to really paying attention to what you eat— are you taking your food as medicine, or are you taking medicine as your food? You need to pay attention to what you eat,” he added, reinforcing that a healthier lifestyle leads to better results with treatment.

A major concern for many attendees was plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

“Plaque builds up as we age, but age is not the only risk factor,” explained Khodor. “There are multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease—such as diabetes, high cholesterol levels, smoking, age, family history, and high blood pressure, though this is not a complete list.”

Imami likened the arteries to household plumbing, providing a clear analogy for how plaque builds up over time.

“The analogy is very similar to the water pipes in your house. You cut the pipe, and 20 years later, you look inside—it’s full of debris and junk. We are very similar,” he said.

“Even if you live a very clean life, at the end of the day, there are still blockages in blood vessels. The question is, are they significant or not? Cigarette smoking is a big factor, causing gradual buildup over the years.”

Patel encouraged attendees to think about their heart like a house when considering how different aspects of heart health work together.

“When you think of your heart, you must think of your heart as a house. Every house has good plumbing, and there is electricity to the heart,” he said.

For patients dealing with severe heart failure, Patel emphasized the need for deeper diagnostic testing.

“You have to do further investigation such as an echocardiogram and referring technologies when it comes to severe heart failure,” said Patel.

Beyond discussing treatments and risk factors, the event focused on empowering patients to take charge of their own heart health.

One attendee laughed as she said she didn’t have a cardiologist, highlighting how the lunch and learn was a perfect opportunity for community members to meet Health First physicians and start thinking about choosing the right specialist for their needs.

Campbell reminded attendees that medical care should be a collaborative effort between doctors and patients.

“One of the most important things in medicine today is helping people understand that we have shared decision-making,” said Campbell.

“As your healthcare partner and physician, I am going to give you facts and offer my recommendations as to how best to help your situation–but ultimately, the decisions are made collaboratively.

“One of the most important things in medical education is helping people understand that we have shared decision-making. I am going to give you facts and my recommendations to help your situation.”

The lunch and learn is just one of many ways Health First continues to engage with the community and provide valuable education on preventive care, new treatments, and wellness strategies.

By providing attendees with valuable knowledge and direct access to expert physicians, Health First empowers patients to confidently take charge of their heart health. As the event concluded, the message was clear: heart health is a lifelong journey, and with the right tools, guidance, and lifestyle choices, individuals can actively improve their well-being.

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