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Each February, we focus on the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States: Heart Disease. More than 650,000 Americans die of heart disease every year. That’s one in four deaths, meaning that most Americans have been touched by heart disease in some way.

The bad news is that Cardio Vascular Disease and CVD mortality are increasing in working-age adults across the country, especially black adults. The good news is there is a lot we can do to take care of ourselves and our hearts.

Celebrate Heart Month

Here are a few different ways to honor the month:

  1.  Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so that you can take quick action when needed.
  2. Get physical and encourage others to by organizing or participating in a heart walk.
  3. Host a potluck with heart-healthy foods and share the recipes.
  4. Commit to one heart-healthy habit for the whole month like walking for 30 minutes a day, switching out pop/ juice for water.
  5. Educate yourself on healthy eating, exercise and heart-healthy living by joining healthcare providers for the Get to Know #OurHearts webinar on Friday, February 17, at 12 p.m. by clicking on https://videocast.nih.gov 

Long-Term Prevention

Here are some long-term strategies to maintain good heart health:

  • Eat a healthy diet – Check out the National Institutes of Health website for helpful dietary guidance. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans which includes information about healthy eating and recommendations for healthy eating patterns.
  • Stay at a healthy weight – Find out if your weight is healthy by calculating your BMI and visiting the CDC website to assess it.
  • Be physically active – At least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended per week, or 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
  • Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption
  • Get enough sleep
  • Finding ways to cope with stress (meditation, exercise, getting outdoors, etc.)

American Heart Month and the Workplace

Workplaces can join in American Heart Month efforts and possibly save lives by:

  • Raising awareness and providing education to employees (visit the CDC website for resources)
  • Supporting healthy lifestyle choices. Consider having healthy snacks in the breakroom, offering discounted gym memberships or starting a walking club
  • Being prepared for emergencies. Do you and others at work know CPR? Does your company have an AED machine on the premises? Both are proven to save lives when it counts. If not, now is the time to contact TSS. During the month of February each year, we offer a complete AED and CPR package at a special price. To learn more get in touch with your local TSS office today at 1-877-225-1431.

Take care of your heart, listen to your body and learn about heart disease so that you can live a longer, healthier and fuller life.