Valentine’s Day isn’t the only reason to decorate with heart-shaped cut-outs during February. Did you know that this month is officially devoted to heart heath? We have some information that may help your ticker keep ticking for many Valentine’s Days to come.
First, some facts. Did you know:
- According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of death for women, more than all forms of cancer combined. The CDC cites heart disease as the leading killer for men.
- Every year roughly 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have a subsequent attack.
- Several health conditions and lifestyle choices raise a person’s risk of heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, poor diet and being overweight or obese.
- In the United States, someone suffers a heart attack every 34 seconds. Each minute, someone in the United States dies from a heart disease-related event.
- Sometimes, it can be hard to know if you’re having a heart attack. Most attacks start mildly, and may have a few smaller signs like chest pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath and nausea.
It’s crucial to know the signs of a heart attack or stroke. Here are some key indications that something might be wrong.
For a heart attack, be mindful if you experience the following:
- Chest discomfort
- Soreness/discomfort in upper body, including jaw, neck, arms, back or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
For a stroke, remember the acronym F.A.S.T:
F- Face, when you smile, is your part of your mouth drooping?
A- Arms, try to raise both arms, does one drift downwards?
S- Speech, are you slurring your words or having difficulty talking?
T- Time, if any of these symptoms are present, 9-1-1 should be called immediately.
Take care of your heart. Cardiovascular fitness and a healthy diet are important ways you can minimize heart disease risk factors.
You can do your part to spread awareness about heart health. Wear red, the official color of the issue, during your workouts this month. Talk to your friends and family about the risk factors and warning signs of heart disease. Use your social media profiles to spread knowledge to your networks.
For more information, please visit www.heart.org.