February is not just about Valentines and candy; it`s about everyone’s heart too! That’s because February is National Heart Month; a whole month dedicated to spreading awareness about heart disease and heart health. There are several different types of heart disease, the most common type being coronary artery disease (CAD) which causes plaque to build up in the arteries, resulting in a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer in both men and women in the US and is responsible for one out of every four deaths. Someone dies in the United States every 33 seconds due to an unhealthy heart; that’s one million people a year! Risk factors for developing heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, drinking too much, even constantly having high stress levels can increase the risk. The good news is that this disease can be avoided. If the habit of smoking or drinking has not been picked up yet, don’t start. It is much easier to not do it than it is to quit. Although some people are more predisposed to having high blood pressure or cholesterol, it`s crucial to manage it and keep it under control. Developing a healthy lifestyle by eating right, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising at least 30 minutes a day also keeps everything in control, even stress levels and greatly decreases the chance of developing heart disease. By following these tips, not only will the heart stay healthy, but a long list of other health conditions can be managed or avoided.
Heart disease can affect anybody. It’s estimated that by the year 2020, heart disease will be the leading cause of death around the whole world. Spreading the word to family and friends and helping them get motivated to adopt a healthier lifestyle can change that.
Participate in National Wear Red Day on February 7. It’s easy for anyone to help spread awareness about heart disease. Goredforwomen.org has a lot of cool items and apparel to get involved.