Boost Your Heart Health: Expert Tips and Insights from UDaily

Every fall, the University of Delaware brings together its research community for a big event: the Cardiovascular Research Symposium. This year, the 2025 symposium was a hub for faculty, students, and researchers to share their insights on heart health. Attendees enjoyed a keynote speech, engaging talks, and 35 informative posters showcasing the latest findings.

Two undergraduate students from the UD College of Health Sciences shared their projects at this event: Grant Maxa and Rachel Thomas.

Grant, a senior in human physiology, aims to become a physician assistant. He learns under Professor Melissa Witman, studying how Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies affect blood vessels. His research has support from the American Heart Association’s Undergraduate Student Training Award.

Rachel, also a senior, studies nursing and dreams of being a certified nurse anesthetist. Under the guidance of Professor Christine Hoch, she explores self-care habits among adults with heart failure.

What motivates these students?

Rachel: “I’ve always wanted to help others.” She was inspired by caring for her grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease. This experience shaped her desire to improve patient care, especially for those with heart issues.

Grant: “I love working in research teams.” His interest in the cardiovascular system drew him to Professor Witman’s lab.

Why does their research matter?

Rachel: “It can personalize patient care.” By focusing on self-care for heart failure patients, her research aims to lower hospital visits and boost overall well-being.

A Broader Perspective

Recent statistics show that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. A study from the American Heart Association indicates that enhancing self-care practices can significantly improve health outcomes. In fact, better self-management led to a 30% decrease in hospital readmissions for heart failure patients over the last five years.

The passion and dedication of students like Rachel and Grant highlight a growing trend in healthcare: the importance of personalizing treatment to boost patient outcomes. Their work not only contributes to academic knowledge but could also shape future healthcare practices in meaningful ways.

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