About American Heart Month
While many people's thoughts turn to hearts on February 14th - St. Valentine's Day, February is American Heart Month. This is a time of the year to focus minds on the leading cause of death globally.
Heart disease is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the heart. Some of the most common forms of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and congenital heart disease. Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and a family history of heart disease.
Treatment for heart disease can include lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. Preventing heart disease involves managing risk factors and making lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy heart.
A Presidential Proclamation has been issued each year for February since 1964.
The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 10336—American Heart Month, 2022:
“Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. During American Heart Month, we raise awareness of the risks of heart disease, remember those we have lost, and highlight steps we can all take to save the lives of countless loved ones and address the unequal burden of heart disease in high-risk communities."
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