American Heart Month: Improving Heart Health
Millions of Americans are impacted by heart disease every year. American Heart Month is dedicated to raising awareness of cardiovascular disease, including risk factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies. For many, heart disease may be treatable by implementing lifestyle changes and managing stress.
American Heart Month may be a time to reflect on the impact of heart disease, but it is also an opportunity to take action. Understanding the factors contributing to heart disease and adopting heart-healthy habits may help individuals develop strategies to reduce their risk of heart disease and improve overall well-being. Below, explore steps a person may take to improve heart health and raise awareness of the impacts of heart disease.
What is American Heart Month?
Every February, the United States observes American Heart Month, a time dedicated to developing awareness of heart disease and promoting strategies to improve cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for 20% of all deaths in adults across different genders and ethnicities. Nearly half of all Americans today may be living with some level of heart disease.
American Heart Month began in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February a month dedicated to heart health, emphasizing the importance of education, prevention, and action. Today, this event remains a key effort in encouraging individuals and communities to take steps toward reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Public health professionals may use American Heart Month to promote overall heart health through healthy lifestyle changes. These changes may include increasing physical activity and eating nutritious and balanced foods. There may also be a focus on mental health through stress reduction as a component impacting the development of heart disease.
Bringing awareness to heart disease and stroke
American Heart Month brings awareness to heart disease and related conditions such as strokes. Heart disease may be largely preventable, and American Heart Month can help to highlight strategies to reduce heart attacks and cardiovascular disease and improve overall health. Some of the goals and activities of American Heart Month may include the following.
Goals of American Heart Month: Raising awareness
In addition to raising general awareness of heart disease, American Heart Month may also focus on educating individuals on heart disease prevention strategies. These strategies may include encouraging people to maintain a healthy weight or to develop heart-healthy habits such as daily exercise. Different challenges or activities may be offered during American Heart Month to educate and promote health habits.
American Heart Month activities
During American Heart Month, people can participate in several activities or events to promote heart health. One of the main events is National Wear Read Day. The day, which occurs on the first Friday in February, is dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease and kicking off American Heart Month. Challenges and team events may center around walking or exercise to promote healthy exercise habits.
Understanding heart disease
Although heart disease can be highly impactful, this condition may be preventable in many cases. Changing habits and behaviors such as smoking, living a sedentary lifestyle, or eating habits can reduce heart disease. Below are some signs and symptoms of heart disease and treatment options.
Signs and symptoms of heart disease
Heart disease may be a general term that encompasses a variety of types of heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or heart arrhythmias, and the signs and symptoms may vary based on the condition. Common signs and symptoms may include the following:
- High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure could be considered a major risk factor in developing heart disease as it damages arteries and can reduce blood flow.
- Chest pain or discomfort: People with heart disease may feel sharp pains or general discomfort in their chest.
- Shortness of breath or fatigue: These symptoms may occur especially during or directly following exercise.
- Swelling: Heart failure or fatigue may cause water retention in the feet and hands.
Heart disease treatment options
Treating heart disease generally starts with making lifestyle changes such as eating nutritious meals, quitting smoking, and getting enough exercise. These changes can reduce the stress placed on the heart and blood vessels, reducing heart disease. Stress reduction techniques may also help lower blood pressure and positively impact heart health. Talk to a dietitian or doctor about your heart health and what foods and lifestyle habits are best for your unique body.
In some cases, medications may reduce blood pressure or lower cholesterol. For more advanced cases, your healthcare provider may recommend medical procedures, such as angioplasty to open blocked arteries or the placement of stents to improve blood flow. Surgical options, like bypass surgery or heart valve repair, are often reserved for severe cases where other treatments are insufficient.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which medication or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. Do not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
Highlighting heart disease prevention
Heart disease prevention may include a variety of strategies, including lifestyle changes and medication options. Lifestyle changes may include developing a daily exercise plan for walking, swimming, or other physical activities. In addition to physical activity, eating balanced meals can help some people maintain a healthy weight, as discussed with their doctor. Note that BMI may not indicate health. Many people with high BMIs are not inherently unhealthy due to their weight and can live healthy lives with a healthy lifestyle, even if they don’t lose weight. Talk to your doctor to understand what is healthiest for your unique body.
For some, medication options may help control heart disease symptoms while a person works on making lifestyle changes. Medications may help to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, which can be two highly impactful symptoms of heart disease. Work closely with a medical professional who can monitor the side effects and impact of medications, making changes as needed.
Impacts of heart disease
Heart disease can impact a person physically and emotionally. Physically, heart disease can limit a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks, which may lead to reduced energy levels, chronic pain, and complications such as heart failure or stroke. This disease can prevent a person from participating in physical activities that they once enjoyed. When left untreated, heart disease may worsen and negatively impact a person’s quality of life, potentially causing serious health complications.
Emotional impacts may also occur for people living with heart disease. Living with heart disease may cause anxiety and stress for those coping with a life-altering diagnosis or the uncertainty of future complications. Over time, these symptoms can cause depression or thoughts of hopelessness as a person navigates living with heart disease.
Connecting mental health and heart health
Although heart health may be primarily a physical health condition, there can be links to mental health as well. People with high levels of stress may be more likely to develop heart disease than those with lower stress.
Stress and heart disease
Stress may be a natural response to environmental stimuli, inciting a fight or flight response in the body and releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure, which, over time, can strain the heart and blood vessels, contributing to heart disease. Additionally, stress may be linked to other behaviors such as smoking, overeating, or alcohol consumption, which may all increase the risk of heart disease.
Addressing causes of stress
Reducing stress levels may start by identifying the sources of stress in a person’s life. These sources of stress may come from home or work and can be related to many different aspects of daily life. Once the cause of stress is identified, strategies for reducing its impact may be possible.
Strategies for improving mental health
Addressing stress may include engaging in stress reduction techniques, which may also improve overall mental health. These strategies can include mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, which can calm the body’s stress response, and meditation, which can help a person see the situation differently.
For individuals with high stress levels, connecting with a therapist or mental health professional may be advantageous. Online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety, which may help to prevent heart disease. With online CBT, a therapist may help a person identify situations that prompt stress and reframe thought patterns to manage stress more effectively.
Busy professionals may have difficulty attending regular in-person therapy sessions at a brick-and-mortar office. With online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, a person can connect with a therapist from anywhere with an internet connection and personal device. In addition, clients can enjoy added flexibility in finding a therapist to meet their specific needs because they are not limited to searching in their immediate area.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about American Heart Month.
Who started American Heart Month?
President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation making February American Heart Month in 1964. Heart disease continues to be a challenge to the present day, proving the importance of this month for awareness. The National Center for the American Heart Association primarily organizes events regarding American Heart Month.
Why do we celebrate American Heart Month?
American Heart Month is celebrated because nearly half of all Americans have some form of heart disease. Because heart disease can be so dangerous, American Heart Month aims to bring greater attention to this cause. You can participate this year by participating in events like National Wear Red Day or marathons that aim to promote health and self-care. News anchors, healthcare providers, therapists, and other public workers can also participate by spreading the word, wearing red, and reminding people of the importance of getting their heart checked, especially older women and men who might be at risk.
What is the objective of Heart Month?
The objective of American Heart Month is to spread awareness of the prevalence of heart disease and to get communities involved in prevention efforts. By talking about this important cause, more people may be able to get screenings and learn about habits that can protect their heart health.
What should I do during Heart Month?
Below are a few ideas for ways to celebrate Heart Month:
- Attend an American Heart Month marathon or organize a run in your town.
- Attend an American Heart Month event.
- Make Heart Month brochures with information about heart health statistics to give to local clinics, community centers, and shelters for heart education.
- Post about American Heart Month on your social media accounts.
- Read about heart health habits and incorporate them into your life.
What is the ribbon for American Heart Month?
The ribbon for American Heart Month is red. You can also show support for this month by wearing red clothing or posting red pictures on social media. Alongside your support through wearing different colors, you can make positive changes in your own life to be a role model for others.
Why should you wear red for Heart Month?
Wearing red for Heart Month brings this event to the forefront of the public eye, allowing more people to see the color and ask what it means. You might also consider wearing a shirt with the American Heart Month logo on it or a term that represents heart health to start conversations with strangers about why you’re wearing it and what it means to you. If you’ve lost someone to heart disease, wearing red can also be a way to keep their memory alive and remind others of the dangers of heart disease.
How do you keep your heart healthy?
Cardiovascular health involves activities that stimulate blood flow and circulation, such as the following:
- Exercise: Aerobic exercise is the best for the heart, increasing blood flow and heart rate and improving heart health. Types of aerobic exercise include running, swimming, dancing, walking, cycling, and playing team sports.
- Eating: Eating nutritious meals can improve heart health. Talk to your doctor about what types of foods are best for your unique body.
- Spending time with loved ones: Socializing has been known to reduce one’s risk of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, loneliness is associated with a higher risk of early death from heart disease.
What is the #1 worst habit for your heart?
There are many habits that can be detrimental to your health. However, many sources agree that smoking is one of the worst. Drinking alcohol excessively can also lead to poor heart health, as well as eating certain foods. Talk to your doctor about heart health risk factors and how to prevent harm. If you’re a smoker, you might benefit from calling the Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-784-8669. They may be able to help you find resources, such as free nicotine patches for quitting smoking.
When is Heart Month 2025?
Heart Month occurs every year in February. In 2025, the American Heart Month theme will be announced closer to the date. Often, Heart Month focuses on increasing awareness of healthy habits.
What is the description of American Heart Month?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) defines American Heart Month as follows: “Each February, NHLBI and The Heart Truth celebrate American Heart Month by motivating Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease.” Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, so taking precautions early may reduce your risk. Get involved in American Heart Month this year to make a positive change in your community.
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