National Forum

Heart Month 2019

February is Heart Month, an opportunity to raise awareness on the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease, and it can be prevented.

Heart Disease Is Preventable

According to the American Heart Association’s new annual statistical report, almost half of Americans have cardiovascular or blood vessel disease. Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

 

Make A Difference In Your Community

Spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives. Please see below, information on what National Forum members have in store for Heart Month.

  • The Alliance for Aging Research has marked February 22 as National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. The goal of the campaign to increase recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.
  • The American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” movement warns that cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. That’s a third of mothers, sisters and friends.
  • The American Society of Preventive Cardiology has launched the Steps4Prevention campaign.
  • CDC is promoting messages and resources to encourage people to talk with loved ones and healthcare providers about how to prevent and manage high cholesterol.
  • The National Forum is offering use of a full suite of social media messages and videos proven to raise women’s intent to talk with their families and clinicians about cholesterol and how to manage it.
  • The White House released a Presidential Proclamation on American Heart Month, pointing out that 4/5 of Americans do not get the recommended amount of physical activity.
  • WomenHeart’s #29DaysOfHeart campaign uplifts the voices of black women and highlights their own heart journeys. As heart disease affects black women at disproportional rates, it’s critical to raise awareness about risk factors and heart healthy living among communities of color. The aim of #29DaysOfHeart is to empower black women – both living with and at risk of heart disease – to take charge of their own heart health.