February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about our nation’s heart health. It’s an appropriate month to keep this in mind, since we see hearts everywhere as an image of love. By watching out for signs of heart disease, you can show love to yourself and those around you.
Cardiovascular disease, or CVD, is responsible for one out of every three deaths, making it the number one killer in the U.S. In addition, it is a leading cause of disability, which can prevent people from working and enjoying time with loved ones. Because Americans aren’t aware of the risk of CVD and fail to act before it’s too late, more than $300 billion is depleted every year in health care services, medications and lost productivity.
Anyone can be impacted by heart disease. The Center for Disease Control notes that one’s risk can be affected by factors such as gender, ethnicity, and having close relatives with CVD. For instance, men are twice as likely as women are to die from preventable heart disease, and about two in five African- American adults have high blood pressure. However, in spite of this, many of the factors that contribute to CVD can be controlled.
Nearly half of Americans have at least one major risk factor, though many don’t know it. The most important thing to do is act. Even if it seems ridiculous to consider the possibility of having heart disease, it doesn’t hurt to check; in fact, it could save your life.
Many heart-related deaths might have been prevented by a simple change of lifestyle. Healthier habits, better living spaces, and increased management of medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can have a huge influence on one’s heart.
Practical things that can be kept in check are diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.
If you see warning signs relating to heart health, whether it’s yours or someone else’s, show love and act as quickly as possible. Spread awareness during American Heart Month and join in the fight to save lives.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov or www.heart.org.