February

American Heart Month

The American Heart Association

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American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

Make a difference in your community: Spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.

How can American Heart Month make a difference?

We can use this month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it — both at home and in the community.

Here are just a few ideas:

  • Encourage families to make small changes, like using spices to season their food instead of salt.
  • Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. This can help students start good habits early.
  • Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking out about ways to prevent heart disease.

How can I help spread the word?

We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:

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Get the Word Out

  Sample Tweets



Messages for Consumers

It’s #AmericanHeartMonth! Find out what you can do today to lower your risk for heart disease: http://1.usa.gov/13d8oBq

#DYK? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Learn how to keep your heart healthy: http://1.usa.gov/ijFWzj

Worried about your blood pressure? Here are some questions you can ask your doctor during your next visit: http://1.usa.gov/1wGp3ta

Planning a trip to the grocery store this weekend? Pump up your #HeartHealth by choosing foods that are low in sodium (salt): http://1.usa.gov/y0uXTq

It’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly starting at age 18. Learn why: http://1.usa.gov/mRFcKh #AmericanHeartMonth

It can be hard to talk to a loved one about making heart-healthy changes. Use these tips to start the convo: http://bit.ly/2gsP8qJ

You have the power to prevent heart disease & stroke. The first step? Talk to your doctor. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/medical_conditions.htm

#DYK? Your heart age can be older than your actual age. Take the heart age quiz to learn yours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvOU4Do4xZ8

Take small steps toward preventing heart disease & stroke, like eating better & exercising. Little changes add up! https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/healthy_living.htm

High blood pressure is a common cause of heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to check your blood pressure. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm #AmericanHealthMonth



Messages for Professionals

Clinicians, here’s your go-to guide for talking to patients about self-measured blood pressure monitoring: https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/tools-protocols/smbp.html

Read 6 reasons why people don’t take their blood pressure medicines as directed and how you can help: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/blood-pressure/index.html

What is heart age? An easier way to talk with your patients about their risk for heart disease & stroke. Learn why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvOU4Do4xZ8

Talk with your patients about their blood pressure numbers and what they mean. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm

Check out these important blood pressure questions to ask your patients during their next visit. https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/files/TipSheet_HCP_Checklist.pdf

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Get Involved

Take action to promote heart health.

  1. Celebrate National Wear Red Day to raise awareness about women and heart disease. Encourage everyone in your community to wear red on February 1, 2019. Visit Go Red for Women for more information.
  2. Host an American Heart Month event at a local school, health center, or library. Work with local recreation and fitness centers to spread the word about the importance of physical activity to prevent heart disease.
  3. Contact your local Red Cross to host a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training event in your community. Urge local community members to learn CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator). These skills can help save the life of someone who has sudden cardiac arrest.
  4. Host a 20-minute group walk around your office at lunchtime.
  5. Conduct a cooking demonstration using a heart-healthy recipe.
  6. Follow CDC’s Million Hearts® on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about heart disease and stroke prevention.

Adapted from the American Heart Association.
Contact the American Heart Association at inquiries@heart.org for more information and materials.

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