In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson first proclaimed February as American Heart Month. This time of year is the time to shine a spotlight on heart disease by raising awareness about it and sharing how you can take steps to prevent this deadly disease.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It also provides tips on action items you can take to prevent heart disease.
- Know your risks. Knowing your risks can help you make lifestyle changes.
- Eat healthy food. Start making healthy choices like cutting back on vegetables and processed foods each day.
- Be physically active. Move more – it’s one of the best ways to stay healthy, prevent disease, and age well.
- Watch your weight. Maintain a healthy weight for yourself.
- Check your blood pressure and cholesterol. These are the two main risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to raise awareness all year round, not just in February. It’s awareness that can ultimately save lives, and National Wear Red Day is celebrated across the United States on the first Friday of February to bring attention to heart disease, the leading cause of death for Americans.
It’s also a great time to receive American Red Cross training on how to perform life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Cardiac arrest claims thousands of lives each year. His CPR/AED class at the Red Cross helps save lives when every moment counts.
Take a lifesaving class today at redcross.org/take-a-class.
Written by Maria Arango, American Red Cross Public Affairs Department
