Facilities used the occasion to celebrate cardiac rehab and children's reading as well as heart health.
Here's a look at three organizations and their initiatives that go beyond simply putting heart-health information in the lobby on February 14.
Memorial Hospital West
David Ancona, MD, a cardiologist at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines, FL, throws a Valentine's Day party for hospital staff to spread a little love while also bringing awareness to heart health during American Heart Month.
"It's really nice because as a cardiologist, it deals a bit with hearts, and it turns out that a lot of people look forward to it," Ancona said.
"I enjoy the pleasure of entertaining all the staff, (but) it's a pleasure to be able to bring attention to that as well."
Ancona has held the party for the past 24 years. In addition to staff, some of his former patients regularly join the festivities.
Spencer Hospital
Spencer (IA) Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation department is celebrating Cardiac Rehabilitation Week February 12-18. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, an annual part of American Heart Month, always includes Valentine's Day.
The hospital is educating patients about the critical role cardiac rehabilitation plays in reducing the effects of heart disease.
The hospital also hopes to raise awareness of its cardiac rehabilitation program, which helps patients improve cardiovascular fitness through exercise programs and education about heart disease risk factors, such as stress, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
"We design a program that is specific for each individual," said Carolyn Hicks, RN. "Individuals enjoy exercising here because they are sharing with people facing similar challenges in a medically supervised area."
Texas Children's Hospital
Not all Valentine's Day events focus on cardiac rehabilitation. A Texas Children's Hospital initiative is about love of books.
The "Dash to Remember" Valentine's Day reading program features celebrity readers—players from the Houston Dash women's soccer team—reading to patients at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Dash players also deliver books, activity packages, and handmade valentines to the children at the hospital.
The Avian Kingdom, a Houston-based organization, sponsors the Dash to Remember through its Under Our Wing Literacy Program.
"There are a few Valentine's craft parties in the hospital, but this is our only story time (literacy event), which also has crafts and a mascot," said Catherine Zdunkewicz, library coordinator at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
In 2016, Under Our Wing donated 2,200 books to patients—double the number donated in 2015. This year, organizers hope to donate 5,000 books.