American Heart Month: What You Need to Know

❤️ February is American Heart Month ❤️

American Heart Month is a federally designated event initiated to remind men and women to focus on their heart health.

🔴 National Wear Red Day – Friday, February 7, 2020

On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. This annual event unites people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.

🫀 Heart Disease Facts

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

• 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease

• It can develop at any age, especially with high rates of obesity and high blood pressure among adults ages 35–64

• Half of Americans have at least one major risk factor: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking

⚠️ Additional Risk Factors:

• Obesity 🧁 – 1 in 3 Americans (and 1 in 6 children) are affected

• Diabetes 🍭 – Nearly 1 in 10 Americans live with diabetes, which can damage heart-related nerves and vessels

• Physical Inactivity 🚶 – Only 1 in 5 adults get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week

• Unhealthy Eating 🍟 – High sodium, added sugars, and low fruit/vegetable intake increase risk

✅ The Good News

Heart disease can often be prevented! Making healthy lifestyle choices and managing chronic conditions can significantly reduce risk.

🩺 Heart-Healthy Habits:

✔️ Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked

🚭 Don’t smoke

⚖️ Lose weight

🏃 Get active

🥗 Eat healthy