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FebruaryAmerican 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

Did you know? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States: http://1.usa.gov/ijFWzj

Find out what you can do today to lower your risk for heart disease: http://1.usa.gov/13d8oBq

Worried about your blood pressure? Check out these questions to ask your doctor: http://1.usa.gov/1wGp3ta

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

Did you know? You need to get your blood pressure checked every 2 years starting at age 18. Learn why: http://1.usa.gov/mRFcKh

Are you a woman over age 55? Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin to reduce your risk of stroke: http://1.usa.gov/jnchQM

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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 5, 2016. 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.

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

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