American Heart Association spreads heart health awareness
The American Heart Association is making an effort to increase awareness of heart disease.
The AHA devotes February as American Heart Month to encourage Americans to focus on their heart health. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death. The AHA’s campaign also dedicated February 3 as National Wear Red Day, with the focus of the day being to remind women that heart disease is very prevalent among them.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute says that one in four women will die from heart disease in the U.S.
CBS News reports that 80 percent of these deaths can be prevented by healthy lifestyles. The AHA sponsors their Go Red for Women campaign so women “don’t become a statistic.”
According to the Clay County Advocate-Press, risk factors for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke can be decreased if you avoid tobacco, increase your physical activity, and eat healthy.
Adults should get 150 minutes of exercise every week, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The AHA encourages people to be aware of signs of a heart attack so they can get to a hospital as soon as possible.
Chest pain and discomfort are warning signs that should not be ignored.
