February is Heart Month

Did you know February is American Heart Month and has been every year since 1964 which began with President Johnson?”  This designation is aimed at increasing awareness that heart disease is the Nation’s No. 1 Killer, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined” (American Heart Association, 2014).  Did you also know February 7, 2014 was National Wear Red Day which recognizes those who struggle with Heart disease and acknowledges all the health care professionals that provide lifesaving treatments, research and advice? 

I’ve participated in a number of events to support, educate and try to raise awareness about Heart Health with the American Heart Association (AHA).  Some of those events include their Heart Walk, the annual Heart Ball and most recently the Go Red for Women Health and Fashion Show.  This organization is very important to me because I believe in their mission.  According to the American Heart Association the organization has invested more than $3.5 billion into studies the most of any entity outside the federal government and is leading the way through awareness, education and funding of medical research.

President Obama’s Administration has a few programs that help to support the AHA’s mission which include the Affordable Health Care Act which allows millions of Americans to have greater access to health care.  In 2011 the Million Hearts was launched which aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 and First Lady Michelle Obama’s  Let’s Move initiative which helps young individuals to make positive choices that will keep them healthy throughout their lives.

Research and history suggest since the early 1960’s annual deaths related to cardiovascular diseases has dropped.  This can be contributed  “to adopting healthy habits – getting regular exercise; not smoking; eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables, low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol –  which reduces risk tremendously” (American Heart Association, 2014).  So if you haven’t done so please commit yourself to saving your heart by educating yourself. Visit the American Heart Association’s website today.

www.americanheartassociation.org