HEALTH

Heart Health Gets a Boost in East Tennessee

Tue Oct 28 2025

In East Tennessee, a new collaboration is putting heart health in the spotlight. The YMCA of East Tennessee and Cardio Diagnostics are teaming up to empower individuals to take control of their heart health. This initiative goes beyond traditional workouts, leveraging smart technology and expertise to detect heart issues early.

The Heart Health Crisis in Tennessee

  • Heart disease accounts for nearly 23% of deaths statewide, higher than the national average.
  • The YMCA has been a trusted health and fitness hub in Knoxville for years, serving over 40,000 members.

The Partnership in Action

Starting November 2025, the YMCA will host educational sessions called "Wisdom Wednesdays", focusing on:

  • Heart health awareness
  • Risk reduction strategies

Additionally, YMCA members and the community will receive discounted rates on Cardio Diagnostics' advanced heart health tests, which use:

  • AI
  • Epigenetics
  • Predictive analytics to assess and manage heart disease risk.

The Goal

  • Proactive heart health care—preventing issues before they arise.
  • Increased accessibility to heart health resources.

Challenges Ahead

  • Ensuring widespread understanding and adoption of these tools.
  • Recognizing that while these tests are advanced, they are not a cure-all.

Despite these hurdles, this partnership marks a significant step forward in improving heart health in East Tennessee.

questions

    How effective are AI-driven cardiovascular tests compared to traditional diagnostic methods?
    What are the long-term benefits of early detection of heart disease through programs like this?
    If I eat a heart-healthy salad at the YMCA, does that count as taking a proactive step?

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