Heart Month 2021
Heart Month 2021 - Passport to a Healthy Heart
Heart Month looks different this year and although we can’t get together, we can encourage and support each other in other ways and continue to get the word out about staying heart healthy!
During the month of February you can still partake in the following Heart Healthy activities:
- Outside activities - running, walking, hiking (remember to social distance)
- Cooking heart healthy meals as a family.
- Getting enough sleep
- Don't sit for too long at one time
Check out this page for resources:
“American Heart Month” – The History
This year marks the 57th anniversary of American Heart Month. The annual celebration began in 1963 to encourage Americans to join the fight against heart disease.
In his remarks announcing February 1964 as the first American Heart Month, President Lyndon B. Johnson urged “the people of the United States to give heed to the nationwide problem of the heart and blood-vessel diseases, and to support the programs required to bring about its solution.” Johnson’s action marked a pivotal point in the nation’s approach to addressing cardiovascular disease.
Citation: Cardiology Magazine -The Evolution of American Heart Month Feb 23, 2017 | John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC
Heart Disease Statistics
Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. It accounts for almost 1 in every 3 deaths worldwide each year. In the U.S., nearly half of adults already have some form of heart disease, but many people don’t know that most of the time healthy habits can prevent it.
Citation:JACC Read the full text of the 2019 Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.
What Can YOU Do To Improve Your Heart Health?
The American Heart Association has defined ideal cardiovascular health based on seven risk factors
(Life's Simple 7) that people can improve through lifestyle changes:
Stop Smoking, Get Active, Lose Weight, Eat Better, Reduce Blood Sugar, Control Cholesterol, and Manage Blood Pressure.
- People with at least five ideal Life’s Simple 7 metrics had a 78% reduced risk for heart-related death compared to people with no ideal metrics. (Ford et al., 2012)
Learn more about Life’s Simple 7 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/my-life-check--lifes-simple-7
*Always consult your health care provider when making lifestyle and exercise changes. They can work with you to develop a plan that is the right fit for you.
Getting care when and how you need it!
Routine Care – In person and virtual options
Confluence health offers in-person and virtual care visits to meet your needs
Click here to learn more about virtual visits
Emergencies - Heart attacks and Strokes don’t stop during a pandemic. Know the warning signs. Call 911! Getting care is critical.
Click here for Heart- Stroke flyer
Heart Disease and COVID-19 Vaccines
If you have a heart condition, you are more likely to get very sick from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To protect yourself and others, follow recommendations: Wear a mask, keep a safe distance from others and wash your hands. Click here for more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine in our area.
Cardiac Services in North Central Washington
Confluence Heath CWH – The only cardiac Level 1 Facility in the North Central Region (Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan) offering Comprehensive Cardiac Services
Click here for CH Cardiac Locations flyer.
Click here for 2020 Messages from the Heart - A Patient's Story
Other Resources
- National Wear Red Day is February 5th 2021
- Wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and save lives. Because when we come together, there’s nothing we can’t do. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/get-involved/give/wear-red-and-give
- Coping with stress during the pandemic:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
- Mended Hearts
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