Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Redding Ignites Heart Health Awareness with Red Lights and Community Engagement for American Heart Month

REDDING, Calif. (February 3, 2026) – This February, Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Redding is transforming its hospital facade into a vibrant red beacon, signaling a powerful call to action for American Heart Month. Individuals are strongly encouraged to prioritize understanding their cardiac risk factors through comprehensive screenings. 

The need for heightened awareness is particularly urgent in the North State, where heart disease prevalence outpaces the statewide average by 5.4%. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, yet many cases are preventable or manageable with early detection and lifestyle changes. 

"Our red lights aren’t just a fun display; they’re a visual 'alarm bell' for our North State community," stated G. Todd Smith, president, Mercy Medical Center Redding. "The statistics clearly show that prioritizing heart health is a shared imperative for our community, not just a personal one. By embracing even small adjustments and leveraging local resources, we possess the power to significantly reduce risk, improve outcomes and ultimately, save lives right here at home."

Early detection is also key, and Mercy Redding strongly encourages individuals to understand their cardiac risk factors through comprehensive screenings. These vital checks include blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose tests, alongside BMI assessments and electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG). For those with higher risk factors, advanced screenings such as calcium scoring CT scans may be recommended by a physician.

Beyond screenings, Dignity Health champions a heart-healthy lifestyle through balanced nutrition, stress management, and consistent physical activity. A perfect opportunity to embrace healthier habits and gain insight is through the hospital’s monthly Walk With A Doc series, focusing on heart health this February.

Community members are invited to join this special Walk With A Doc event on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 9 - 10 a.m., returning to the iconic Sundial Bridge. Participants should meet at the statue near the Branch House (844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding). This free event offers a fun and safe walk for all paces, valuable health insights from a local cardiac care provider, and a chance to connect with others.

Smith reinforced the hospital's commitment to local care, adding, "Mercy Medical Center Redding takes heart health in our community very seriously. Through our partnership with Stanford Health Care at The Mercy Redding Heart Center, we’ve been able to provide residents access to world-class heart surgeons and advanced treatments. Whether it's prevention or specialized cardiac intervention, we offer comprehensive support tailored to every step of the heart health journey."

This American Heart Month, Dignity Health empowers everyone to be their own heart health advocate. Schedule a preventative health visit with your doctor to discuss personal risk factors and identify the appropriate screenings for you. It's an invaluable investment in a longer, healthier future for yourself and our community.

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About Dignity Health California 
Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. 

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.