February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a month to raise awareness about heart disease and prevention. The first American Heart Month was in 1964, when more than half of the deaths in the United States were caused by cardiovascular disease. Today cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year and it is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030. (1) “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, as every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.” (2)

Heart Disease and American Indians/Alaska Natives

As the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority health states, “American Indians/Alaska Natives, on average, are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than their white counterparts. In addition, American Indians/Alaska Native adults are more likely to be obese than white adults, more likely to have high blood pressure, and they are more likely to be current cigarette smokers than white adults – all risk factors for heart disease.” (3)

What Can Be Done

About 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases, which includes stroke, may be preventable with education and action, which include making healthy choices and managing their health conditions. (1,2)

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign states, “…caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the secret weapon to preventing heart disease. While many may assume that popping a few pills that your healthcare provider prescribed is enough to quell symptoms or prevent a heart attack, the real preventative power lies with real changes to your lifestyle.” (4)

Sources

1. American Heart Association. (n.d.). February is American Heart Month. Retrieved February 16, 2018, from http://newsroom.heart.org/events/february-is-american-heart-month-6669831
2. HealthFinger.gov. (n.d.). American Heart Month. Retrieved February 16, 2018, from https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/FebruaryToolkit.aspx
3. Office of Minority Health. (2017, September 15). Heart Disease and American Indians/Alaska Natives. Retrieved February 16, 2018, from https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=34
4. American Heart Association. (n.d.). How to Prevent Heart Disease and Be Heart Healthy – Go Red For Women. Retrieved February 16, 2018, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-heart-disease-women-go-red-women-official-site/live-healthy/prevent-heart-disease/