Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation

06/02/2026

Today, Friday, February 6, 2026, is National Wear Red Day. Observed annually on the first Friday of February, this day is the cornerstone of American Heart Month.

The day aims to bring attention to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death for women globally.

The "Go Red for Women" Movement encourages everyone to wear red to show solidarity and support for those affected by heart disease.

Prevention Advocacy: Approximately 80% of cardiovascular events are preventable through education and lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.

How to Participate:

Donate to the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation (727-0054) to support the fight against Cardiovascular Disease in Trinidad and Tobago.

Wear Red: Don a red shirt, dress, tie, or even just a red accessory to show your support.
Spread the Word: Use social media hashtags like , , and to share photos and heart health facts.

Learn a Lifesaving Skill: The TTHF urges at least one person in every household to learn Hands-Only CPR to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies.

Know Your Numbers: Schedule a check-up to discuss your risk factors with a doctor.

# TTHF

06/02/2026

Today, Friday, February 6, 2026, is National Wear Red Day. Observed annually on the first Friday of February, this day is the cornerstone of American Heart Month. ❤️☺️

The day aims to bring attention to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death for women globally.

The "Go Red for Women" Movement encourages everyone to wear red to show solidarity and support for those affected by heart disease.

Prevention Advocacy: Approximately 80% of cardiovascular events are preventable through education and lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.

How to Participate:

Donate to the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation (727-0054) to support the fight against Cardiovascular Disease in Trinidad and Tobago.

Wear Red: Don a red shirt, dress, tie, or even just a red accessory to show your support.

Spread the Word: Use social media hashtags like , , and to share photos and heart health facts.

Learn a Lifesaving Skill: The TTHF urges at least one person in every household to learn Hands-Only CPR to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies.

Know Your Numbers: Schedule a check-up to discuss your risk factors with a doctor.

04/02/2026

February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and the prevention of heart disease. It serves as a reminder that heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide.

How to Participate:

● Donate or Fundraise: Support heart health education and awareness by donating to organizations like the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation.

● Wear Red: Show your support on February 6 to raise awareness for the #1 killer of women. ♥️

● Learn CPR: The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR to save lives during cardiac emergencies.

● Know Your Numbers: Visit your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, two major risk factors for heart disease.

● Adopt Healthy Habits: Use this month to reset your routine by aiming for 150 minutes of physical activity per week and following a heart-healthy diet.

and Tobago Heart Foundation

03/02/2026

Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when your heart muscle is too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively to meet your body's needs. It is a serious, long-term condition that usually develops slowly, though it can sometimes begin suddenly.

Core Symptoms:

The condition causes fluid to back up in the body and prevents organs from receiving enough oxygen and nutrients.

Common signs include:

● Breathlessness: Especially during activity or while lying flat.
● Fatigue: Feeling tired most of the time and finding exercise exhausting.
● Swelling (Edema): Accumulation of fluid in the ankles, legs, or abdomen.
● Persistent Cough: Sometimes producing white or pink mucus.
● Rapid Weight Gain: Due to fluid retention (e.g., 2–3 pounds in 24 hours).

Common Causes

Heart failure is often the result of other medical conditions that damage or strain the heart:

● Coronary Artery Disease and previous heart attacks.
● High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).
● Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle.
● Heart Valve Problems: Narrowed or leaky valves.
● Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation.

Stages and Severity

Doctors use two main systems to classify the progression of heart failure:

● ACC/AHA Stages (A–D): Tracks the progression from being "at risk" (Stage A) to advanced heart failure (Stage D).
● NYHA Functional Classes (I–IV): Measures the severity of symptoms during physical activity.

Management and Treatment

While there is usually no cure, the condition can be managed to improve quality of life and longevity:

● Medications: Common types include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics ("water pills").
● Lifestyle Changes: Reducing salt intake, limiting fluids, regular exercise, and quitting smoking.
● Medical Devices: Pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
● Surgery: In severe cases, heart bypass surgery, valve repair, or a heart transplant may be necessary.

When to Seek Help

If you experience sudden, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting, call emergency services (8-1-1 : Trinidad and Tobago) immediately.

02/02/2026

Honoring the Life of Dr. Allan Irving McKenzie (TTHF Founder). Funeral service. May he rest in eternal peace.

Live streaming made possible by Majestic Visual Productions1-868-4670344 | majesticvisual@.gmail.com

30/01/2026

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems including heart attack or stroke. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have it. Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent major health problems.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

● High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems.
It’s important to have your blood pressure measured and to understand what your numbers mean.

Blood Pressure Categories

BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY:
● SYSTOLIC mm Hg (top/upper number) and/or
● DIASTOLIC mm Hg (bottom/lower number)

● NORMAL: LESS THAN 120 and LESS THAN 80

● ELEVATED: 120 – 129 and LESS THAN 80

● STAGE 1 HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure): 130 – 139 or 80 – 89

● STAGE 2 HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure) : 140 OR HIGHER or 90 OR HIGHER

● SEVERE HYPERTENSION (If you don’t have symptoms*, call your health care professional.): HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120

● HYPERTENSIVE EMERGENCY (If you have any of these symptoms*, call 8-1-1 for Trinidad and Tobago)

● HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120
*symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking
Note: Only a doctor or other medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis. They also can check if your blood pressure is too low.

Take Control of Your Blood Pressure

● Is your blood pressure in a healthy range? The best way to know is to get it checked.

● Then, enter your numbers into this calculator to see which blood pressure category the reading is in.

29/01/2026

Honouring the Legacy of Dr. Allan Irving McKenzie
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

It is with heavy hearts 💔, that we announce the passing of Dr. Allan Irving McKenzie (1933–2026), who passed away peacefully on, Tuesday 27th January, 2026, at 2:25pm. He was 92 years old.

Dr. McKenzie was, the great founder and president of the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation (TTHF) and remained as president for many years.

Dr. McKenzie pioneered a study in 2009 which showed that of a target population (700 persons over the age of 11 years), 80% were unsure of the differences between Heart Disease and Stroke, 29% could not identify early symptoms of a heart attack, 43% could not identify early warning signs of a stroke, 80% did not know the phone numbers of the Emergency Health Services and only one in three persons is aware that lack of exercise, high blood cholesterol and stress are important risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

This relays the call for the TTHF to respond to the need for public education about healthy lifestyles and heart health in our country. In this effort, the TTHF continues to help the public of Trinidad and Tobago, all relevant stakeholders, the Ministries of Health and Education and, very specially, the media of mass communication.

His legacy will continue to live on in the hallowed halls of the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation (TTHF) for generations to come. He is indeed a Heart Foundation legend.

Today, the President, Directors, Members and Staff give thanks for his life, his service and his everlasting contribution to the Trinidad and Tobago Heart Foundation and to the nation. May Dr. Allan I. McKenzie (Mac) rest in eternal peace and may his lasting legacy continue to inspire the vision he held for the TTHF.

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

27/01/2026

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) happens when plaque (fats, cholesterol) builds up in the heart's arteries (atherosclerosis) narrowing them and reducing oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle, potentially causing chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or a heart attack if the artery becomes blocked. Major risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and inactivity, while treatment involves lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes procedures to manage symptoms and prevent complications like heart attacks or heart failure.

Causes and Risk Factors

● Atherosclerosis: The primary cause is plaque buildup, hardening and narrowing arteries.

● Lifestyle: Smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol use.

● Health Conditions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high lipoprotein (a).

Symptoms

● Chest pain/pressure (Angina): A squeezing or fullness sensation, sometimes mistaken for indigestion.

● Discomfort: In arms, neck, jaw, shoulders, or upper stomach.

● Shortness of breath.
Nausea, lightheadedness, cold sweat.

Diagnosis & Treatment

● Diagnosis: Often involves risk assessment, blood tests, EKGs, and stress tests.

● Treatment: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), medications (for cholesterol, blood pressure), and sometimes procedures (angioplasty, surgery).

Complications

● Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Occurs when a clot completely blocks an artery.
● Heart Failure.
● Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).