Did you know that February is American Heart Month?

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Million Hearts® and The Heart Truth® are two campaigns that help support American Heart Month here in the United States. Million Hearts® is a national initiative that works to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, while The Heart Truth® is a 28-day challenge during the month of February that encourages women to take action to lower their risk for heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are three key risk factors tied to heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol (LDL), and smoking.  49% of Americans have one or more key risk factors linked back to heart disease. It’s not too late to make the decision to change! If you would like to change your lifestyle and reduce your risk of heart disease you can start by accepting The Heart Truth Challenge. Simply go to The Heart Truth® facebook page and accept the challenge of the day. Their page is a great resource and a simple way to share how you are making changes for the better in your life.

  • Here are some tips that will help you when it comes to eating healthier.
  • Here are some tips on how to take that first step in getting active.
  • Are you at risk of developing heart disease? Click here to see now.
  • Here is what the CDC has to say about heart disease and American Heart Month.
  • Here is what is going on in Missouri in honor of American Heart Month.
  • To learn more about the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, you can visit the American Heart Association website.

Not only does living a more active lifestyle help in reducing your chances of developing heart disease, it also is a natural arthritis pain reliever. In case you missed it, 64% of adults in Missouri who have heart disease also have arthritis.* That’s more than half of all cases of heart disease in Missouri! This is why it is so important for us to know how to combat these conditions. You can set an example for future generations by eating healthier and being physically active.

You can combat both heart disease and arthritis by signing up for a class near you today! Can’t make it to a class? That’s okay; we offer at-home programs too, such as Walk With Ease and the Arthritis Toolkit! If you’re interested in either of our local programs, you can register online or contact a RAC near you! Taking the first step towards a healthier lifestyle can be difficult, but being healthy is actually quite easy to do if you set your mind to it! Remember, eat healthy and exercise regularly; your heart (and joints) will surely thank you.

 

*Missouri’s numbers were taken from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey, 2011.  National numbers were provided from 2010-2012 data from the National Health Interview Survey.

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