February is American Heart Health Month: Raising Awareness and Taking Action

Feb 8, 20243 min read

Updated: Jan 30

February is all about hearts, and not just because of Valentine's Day! It's also American Heart Health Month, where we shine a spotlight on something really important: our heart health. Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans? Yes, it's serious stuff. That's why back in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared February as American Heart Month, and every president since then has kept up the tradition. This annual observance serves to educate and empower individuals to prioritize their heart health. As we navigate through the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, the significance of this month's message resonates more strongly than ever.

Raising Awareness - February Heart Health Month

This year, the American Heart Association's "Heart to Heart: Why Losing One Woman Is Too Many" campaign shines a light on the alarming statistic that 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually. Additionally, the first Friday of February, observed as National Wear Red Day, further amplifies awareness through the AHA's Go Red for Women initiative. So we're wearing red on the first Friday of February (that's Feb. 7th), where news, anchors, and communities nationwide unite in wearing the color to show their support in the fight against heart disease.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES

Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise.

Fueled by ongoing increases in high blood pressure, obesity and other major risk factors, heart disease continues to kill more people in the U.S. than any other cause, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update.

Nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure.
More than 72% of U.S. adults have unhealthy weight (currently defined as body mass index ≥25, with nearly 42% having obesity (currently defined as body mass index ≥30).
More than half of U.S. adults (57%) have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

The good news is you can take action in preventing heart disease.

Prevention is Key

We can do a lot to keep our hearts healthy! Coronary disease is largely preventable. By taking action and implementing simple habits like not smoking, eating well, staying active, taking good supplements, and going for check-ups can make a big difference.

A heart-healthy diet is low in saturated fat and sodium, and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also includes lean meats, fish, and healthy fats.

Getting regular exercise when you have heart disease is important. Exercise can make your heart muscle stronger. It may also help you be more active without chest pain or other symptoms. Exercise may help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

By empowering women and men to listen to their hearts and advocate for their health, we pave the way for healthier communities and a brighter future for all.

Another option for prevention is to consider taking a CAC (Coronary Artery Calcium) test. A CAC test can measure the amount of calcium in your heart arteries and our calcium score gives the health care team an idea of how much plaque is in your heart arteries and may help predict your risk of a future heart attack. "Your CAC score can help you determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s particularly helpful if you’re at “intermediate” risk. Source: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cac-test

Natural Supplement to Prevent Heart Disease by adding Olive Leaf extract daily:

So here's something interesting: did you know that olive leaf extract might be good for our hearts too? Some studies suggest that olive leaf extract could help with cardiovascular problems by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It's like nature's little secret weapon for a healthy heart! "Research shows that olive leaf extract helps prevent LDL (bad) cholesterol from building up in your arteries. This effect helps increase blood flow and lower blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart disease." https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-olive-leaf-extract

Also, the oleuropein found in olive leaf extract has shown "cardioprotective effect against acute adriamycin cardiotoxicity and an anti-ischemic and hypolipidemic activities." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3730992/

So, let's make this American Heart Month count! Wear red, spread the word, take care of your heart, and maybe even try adding some olive leaf extract to your routine. Together, we can keep those hearts beating strong.