February is American Heart Month |

February is American Heart Month

Posted on January 28, 2022

Take the opportunity this month to learn more about heart disease, heart failure, risks factors and prevention tips.

Heart Disease: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.” Heart disease is a general term that is used to describe several heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, among others.

Heart disease can be caused by various factors including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, diabetes, and unhealthy weight. Lifestyle behaviors, such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and a diet high in fats and sodium, can also increase your risk for developing heart disease. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/heartdisease.

Heart Failure: According to the American Heart Association, heart failure is “a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen.” Some warning signs of heart failure include shortness of breath with minimal exertion or when at rest, a constant cough or wheezing, build-up of fluid in the legs or feet, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Learn more at www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure.

If you have any of the above symptoms, please schedule a visit with your doctor. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart failure, be sure to see your doctor regularly so your condition and medications can be monitored, take your medications as prescribed, follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and monitor your weight daily. If you gain 2 lbs. or more in one day, contact your doctor immediately.

Prevention Tips: Stay heart healthy and lower your risk for developing heart disease by following some simple steps: