Heart Health Awareness Month

Among several other worthy celebrations, the CDC considers February the American Heart Health Month. A month meant to spread awareness on how to keep your heart healthy and why it matters. The Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention would like to shine a light on hypertension and to address barriers, unique to certain communities and demographics, restricting them from health equity.

According to recent reports, heart attacks remain a major public health crisis. Annually, there are more than 350,000 heart attacks out-of-hospital, with almost 90% being fatal. Below is a map showing the percentages of heart attacks per state.

CPR can be an extremely valuable tool in helping to prevent a heart attack from being fatal. The typical success rate of CPR outside of a hospital is 12%. 12% may seem low, but based on the annual number of heart attacks per year, that’s roughly 42,000 lives that could be saved from properly performed CPR. Learning CPR is easier than ever. You can find plenty of videos online with detailed instructions. Or, if you would like in-person training, the Red Cross and YMCA offer classes, among other organizations.

Of course, the best way to survive a heart attack is to prevent it in the first place. Nutrition is key! Reducing high cholesterol foods and incorporating foods that help properly regulate healthy cholesterol are probably the best method of prevention. Additionally, consistent exercise can help strengthen your cardiovascular system. Of course, consult with a physician before beginning any strenuous training regime! If exercise is currently not a habit, just start with going on walks.

Heart attacks are avoidable, but it starts with awareness. Making sure that everyone has access to not only knowledge but resources that allow healthier lifestyles could save hundreds of thousands of lives! For more information, be sure to check out the CDC’s info.

Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash