Fact: Every year, approximately 715,000 Americans have a heart attack and, unfortunately, about 600,000 die from heart disease – it’s the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. That’s why American Heart Month, celebrating its 50th anniversary this February, is so important.
Several organizations are coming together this month to promote the importance of heart health and, more specifically, heart disease prevention. For example, the CDC offers several practical lifestyle tips to keep heart disease at bay, including:
- eating a healthy diet, packed with fresh fruits and vegetables
- maintaining a healthy body weight
- exercising regularly
- monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol
- not smoking
- limiting alcohol consumption
- managing diabetes, when applicable
- taking any medications subscribed by your doctor
These tips mirror those offered by The American Heart Association (AHA), the leading source of heart health information. Recently, one of our Districts – Beach Cities Health District, which serves Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach – began partnering with the AHA to help its residents make healthy changes. The partnership involves a variety of community-focused initiatives, including a “Go Red for Women’s Luncheon” slated for May 21, 2014 in Manhattan Beach.
For those of you who don’t live near Beach Cities, the AHA offers a variety of free online tools and resources geared toward getting heart healthy. We encourage you to set aside time in February to check out the website and identify a few keys ways to ensure your heart health. While you’re at it, we also recommend reviewing the warning signs of a heart attack. Trust us, your heart will thank you – from its very bottom.
