February is often associated with love and hearts. Whether or not you celebrate Valentine’s day, we want you to listen to your heart because February is also Heart Month.

The Facts:

The first American Heart Month took place in February 1964. Congress requested President Lyndon B. Johnson designate February as American Heart Month. Why? At that time, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease.

Unfortunately, even today heart disease and stroke, remain the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year – this number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

Does Heart Disease impact you? Chances are, yes, it will impact someone you know. According to The American Heart Association, 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 38 seconds.

The Good News:

Heart disease is preventable!  While you can’t change your age or family history, you can make small changes to your diet and lifestyle can improve your heart health and lower your risk by as much as 80 percent.  Here are the 7 simple ways to get started:

  1. Be Active: Get 30 minutes of activity (like walking) each day!
  2. Check Your Cholesterol: Have your cholesterol checked and work with your doctor to put a plan in place to control it if needed.
  3. Watch Your Diet: Eat veggies, fruit, low-fat dairy, fiber-rich whole grains, and lean meats including fish.
  4. Check Your Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked and work with your doctor to put a plan in place to determine your healthy range.
  5. Lose Weight: If you’re overweight, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off.
  6. Check Blood Sugar: Have your blood sugar levels checked and work with your doctor to put a plan in place to determine your healthy range.
  7. Stop Smoking: This will add years to your life and dollars to your wallet. There are many resources available to help you quit.

Other ways to get involved:

National Wear Red Day® is Friday, February 2, 2018! -- Wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and save lives.

Spread the word to your family and community about strategies for preventing heart disease.

Encourage those around you to have their hearts check and commit to heart-healthy lives.

Learn more here: