Heart Health & AFib Awareness, Comfort Cooking, and Strength and Balance for Independence
February 2026
How many of us have seen the countless commercials featuring celebrities, who are talking about AFib, but what it is? AFib, or atrial fibrillation, is a common irregular heartbeat that increases stroke risk. The symptoms of AFib may be obvious or subtle but may include: a feeling of fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. Many times, AFib isn't diagnosed early because it often causes no symptoms (silent AFib). It can occur in brief, unpredictable episodes that stop before a doctor can diagnose them, or its subtle signs like fatigue are dismissed as normal aging or stress. If intermittent, it can be hard to detect during short office visits, leading many to remain undiagnosed until a complication, like a stroke, occurs. Attendees of February’s AgingWell will hear from Patrick Whalen, MD, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Cardiology and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine with Wake Forest University School of Medicine who will share insights of what to look for should you, or someone you know be experiencing symptoms and what can be done to better protect your heart!
We’ve all heard the expression “wintery days and chilly nights” and for anyone living in or around Winston-Salem we’ve not just heard it, we’ve lived it! So, what’s a great dinner solution for one of those chilly nights? Why chili of course! This month, Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s own Don McClain, MD will be sharing a favorite recipe for a delicious skillet chili using ingredients that you may already have in your pantry! This dinner can easily be a simple bowl of piping hot comfort food or dressed up with garnishes to create a true cold weather dining experience!
As we age, two of the most important physical areas that we should focus on is achieving and maintaining good balance and strength. Joining us in February is Kim Berlin, a popular trainer at YMCA locations throughout the Winston-Salem area. Kim will be taking us through a variety of exercises that focus on strength and balance to help significantly reduce fall risk by improving stability, coordination, and reaction time, while also boosting muscle mass, bone density, independence, and cognitive function. These exercises make daily activities easier, enhance confidence, and protect against serious injuries like fractures, keeping active older adults active and empowered! All you need for these exercises is a steady chair or counter.
