MO Arthritis

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.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, here in the United States.  The first Black History Month to be officially recognized by the U.S. government was in 1976, though Black History Month, and before that Black History Week, had been celebrated since 1926.  This study and celebration of the history of the black race was created by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  You can read more about the origins of Black History Month here. 

Knowing our history is very important.  It helps us to know more about and celebrate our past, as well as provides us a direction to move forward. 

Show Some Love this Valentine's Day

Although many believe Valentine’s Day is a day of romance, it is also a day that you can celebrate all the special people in your life. This year, remember to show love to your caregivers! A caregiver is an individual that can be a doctor, a home-health nurse, a friend, neighbor, or even a family member that assists in the treatment or prevention of illness or disability. These individuals play a crucial role in helping those with chronic health conditions achieve more. This Valentine’s Day, let’s give our caregivers some extra recognition! Traditional gifts given on Valentine’s Day include jewelry, chocolate, and flowers. While all of those are special, there are other ways to show your gratitude. For example, a simple thank you or a greeting card would be sure to brighten someone’s day! Even though it isn’t National Family Caregivers Month (November), here are some additional ways you can show some love for your caregivers.  Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to show your gratitude, but it is always great to make sure those around us know they are appreciated year-round. Happy Valentine’s Day!

February is American Heart Month

Look in any store in February and you’re sure to find hearts everywhere.  While the hearts in the store often symbolize delicious sweets and gifts for those you love, they are also a great reminder for us to be thinking about our hearts!  The goal of American Heart Month is to spread awareness about cardiovascular problems.  Even though heart disease is both preventable and controllable, it is still the leading cause of death in men and women.  There are so many other chronic health conditions associated with heart disease, including different types of arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.  There are also factors that increase your risk for heart disease including physical activity, diet, obesity, tobacco use, high sodium intake, and your genetics.

There are lots of resources available including tips and advice to improve your heart health.  Check out some below!