This February marks the 60th American Heart Month. Since 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation establishing American Heart Month, February has served as a recognition of the importance of cardiovascular health.
While heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans, there are ways to lower your risk. Having a healthy diet, staying physically active, and refraining from smoking or using tobacco all help keep your heart healthy and safe.
Another way to prevent heart disease is regular heart screenings. The heart is the most important organ in the body, so it’s important to check in from time to time. Screenings can help identify risk factors for heart disease and asymptomatic heart problems early, allowing you to receive treatment and make necessary lifestyle changes.
A few key factors determine how often it is recommended you have a heart screening and what type of screening is needed. Those factors include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight, and lifestyle habits such as smoking. Visit Heart.org for more on how often you should have a screening.
Even if you are not currently at risk of heart disease, there are still ways you can have an impact on American Heart Month. This year, the American Heart Association is championing the Go Red for Women movement, which strives to end heart disease and stroke for women. Through donations and events, the American Heart Association hopes to bring awareness to women’s cardiovascular health and address clinical gaps that exist for women.
There are two ways to support the Go Red for Women movement, as well as other movements, for American Heart Month. The easiest one is to give! Donations help fund important cardiovascular research, support those with existing conditions, and raise awareness for heart disease. If you give to the Go Red for Women movement during the month of February through the American Heart Association, your gift will be matched by the Big Lots Foundation, doubling your gift!
The second way to show your support is to attend events. This spring, the American Heart Association is hosting events in most major cities. From luncheons to galas and balls, showing up is a great way to demonstrate your support for heart disease research and the many who are suffering from heart diseases.
Click here to find an event near you.
Written by Will Chamblee, TDS Communications Intern
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