Ah, February! The time of the year where you learn what your heart desires… and we are not talking about Valentine’s Day. February is American Heart Month, a great time to learn and focus on your cardiovascular health. This year, the U.S commemorates the 59th consecutive American Heart Month to raise awareness for the cause.
Heart Disease is the number one cause of deaths for most groups, affecting every age, gender, and ethnicity. The risk factors that are attributed to heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. To shine a light on this disease, every year, the U.S observes the month of February for heart disease. In fact, the first U.S proclamation about heart disease was issued in 1964. Like millions of Americans at the time, President Lyndon B. Johnson suffered from a heart attack. Since then, the U.S has been shinning a national spotlight on this killer disease. Although heart disease has been known for years, modern life seems to have increased these risk factors. Allowing for more people to be prone to heart disease. Today, roughly one in four deaths in the U.S can be linked to heart disease.
Weighing between 8 and 12 ounces, the heart is the most important organ because it is responsible for blood throughout our body. It supplies oxygen and nutrients while also removing toxins and waste. Heart disease happens when the arteries leading to your heart become clogged. The warning signs for heart disease can happen to people as early as age 18. To prevent this from happening, it is important to stay active and have a healthy diet. By combining this with reducing your daily stress, you can help reduce any risk factors associated with heart disease. Heart disease can affect everyone, so drinking water instead of soda is a smart choice.
It is important for you to learn about the risk factors for heart disease, so you know how to prevent them going forward. Jogging daily, eating healthy, and watching your weight are all important in combating heart disease. If you are concerned about being at risk, contact your doctor and see if they can perform a simple cholesterol test.
For more information on American Heart Month, click here.
Article written by William Graves.