February is American Heart Month
- mariahorchid
- Jan 30
- 1 min read
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States which is why so many organizations celebrate and observe American Heart Month to encourage healthy habits to prevent heart disease. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation declaring February American Heart Month in 1964. Since then, the movement has evolved to adopt goals and involvement on every scale.
The goals include:
Supporting people with cardiovascular conditions
Advancing research
Increasing access to affordable health care, prescription drugs, and healthy lifestyles
You can get involved by:
Raising awareness about the risks of heart disease
Sharing how to take steps to prevent heart disease
Advocating for cardiovascular health
Fundraising for breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment
Supporting patients and families
Donating to support the American Heart Association's work
Risk factors for heart disease include:
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Smoking
Obesity
You can help prevent heart disease by:
Being physically active
Eating a healthy diet
Watching your weight
Checking your blood pressure and cholesterol
American Heart Month is also the perfect time to take training from approved organizations like the American Red Cross and others on how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to help save lives and be prepared for medical emergencies in your community.
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