Feb 17, 2021
How to Make a Difference this American Heart Month
Healthy Living.
Heart disease is extremely common. In fact, it is the number one cause of death for Americans. February is American Heart Month, and there are several things you can do to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and protect yourself from heart disease.
Heart disease can take many forms. While many of us probably think of heart attacks when we hear the words, heart disease, there are several other heart diseases which can be dangerous, such as congestive heart failure, Arrhythmia, or heart valve problems.
Although heart disease is dangerous, it can easily be prevented by making choices that promote a healthy lifestyle. Below, we will look at some of the ways your can prevent heart disease and what you can do to make the most of this American Heart Month.
How to Lower Your Risk
- Many of the things you should do to decrease your risk of heart disease will also contribute to a healthier lifestyle overall:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Moderate alcohol intake
- Quit smoking
- Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control
- Be aware of whether heart disease runs in your family, and inform your doctor, so that they can monitor your heart health.
Raise Awareness
- Start with your own family. Make simple adjustments like replacing salt with other spices in order to lower sodium intake. You can also set aside time to get outside and exercise as a family.
- Talk to teachers and administrators about the ways they can be teaching students how to live heart-healthy lifestyles.
- Ask healthcare workers in your community to share information and resources about how to prevent heart disease. You could invite a doctor or nurse to speak about heart disease at a virtual event or livestream.
- The American Heart Association hosts Go Red for Women Day each February. Heart disease causes approximately 1 in 3 deaths among womeneach year. This is an opportunity to wear red to raise awareness about heart disease in women.
Stay Informed
Heart disease is something we should all know about, so that we can share the info with those we love and keep ourselves safe. If you think you are at a higher risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor about what steps you should be taking to keep your heart healthy.
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