How to observe American Heart Month
- Take up a heart-healthy habit
Staying active, eating healthy, and watching our weight are all important parts of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Pick a new heart-healthy habit like jogging or substituting sodas with water and try to stick to it for a whole month. - Educate yourself
Learn about the risk factors for heart disease, the ways you can prevent them, and the lifestyle choices that can help you stay healthy. - Get your cholesterol tested
If you’re worried you might be at risk for heart disease, ask your doctor to perform a simple cholesterol test to let you know if you’re at risk and should make adjustments to your diet.
| Five Facts about Heart Health |
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| Heart attacks can be silent - 1 in 5 heart attacks occurs without the person even knowing they had one. |
| Young women are at higher risk than men - Women under the age of 50 are twice as likely to die of a heart attack as men in the same age group. |
| Heart attacks affect women differently - Women may experience different symptoms than men. These include pain in the back, arm, neck, or shoulder; nausea; fatigue; shortness of breath; and vomiting. |
| Another reason to hate Mondays - Heart attacks are more likely to occur on Monday mornings than other days of the week. Scientists attribute this to the disruption in our circadian rhythm over the weekend which leads to increased blood pressure and other changes to the nervous system. |
| Diet soda raises heart attack risk - If you drink one or more diet sodas a day, your chances of having a heart attack are 43% higher than those who drink regular soda or none at all. |