As of 2000, heart disease has been one of the leading causes of death in New Jersey and nationally since 1935, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities. The heart is a major organ in the body that supports every system that keeps us alive, and it must be properly cared for. However, many people dismiss heart health and often do not understand the critical causes of heart problems. Countless misconceptions and gaps in public health knowledge lead people to engage in harmful behaviors and practices that can often increase the risk of such diseases. Individuals lack nutritional information, physical activity, healthy lifestyle habits, and medical checkups. Without proper education on healthy heart habits and guidance on how to protect yourself and others from this deadly disease, it is difficult to maintain a safe and healthy community where people can feel safe and empowered to take care of their own well-being. By recognizing the importance of heart health early on, people can make informed choices that dramatically lower their risk of serious cardiovascular problems later in life.

Our mission is to reduce preventable cardiovascular emergencies in our society by increasing CPR knowledge and promoting early detection of hypertension. We believe that everyone, regardless of age and background, should be familiar with their own body and heart, and know how to take care of themselves. We are committed to making heart health education practical, approachable, and hands-on. Educating people about basic cardiovascular health, its risks, and how to prevent them is essential for individual and community safety. Through hands-on training, expanding a public health outreach, and learning from professionals, we hope to create a safer and healthier environment where heart health is a shared priority. 

Help us save lives in our community — get involved today.

Protect the Pulse is a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering teens and our community to take charge of their heart health through educational talks, engaging activities, and free blood pressure screenings. We also offer CPR training events and awareness initiatives to teach people essential skills and essential preventative measures. Our programs feature guest speakers and hands-on learning opportunities about cardiovascular health and emerging medical technology. To create a healthier community, we promote year-round diet and fitness tracking through our app (WIP) to encourage healthy lifestyle habits and provide event reminders. In addition to our app, we provide blood pressure screenings and education to support early detection of hypertension, and refer you for health checks to identify risks before they become emergencies. Through these efforts, we work to strengthen heart health knowledge and preparedness in our community.