February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. This month, we are highlighting Million Hearts™, an initiative dedicated to preventing the nation’s leading killers and empowering everyone to make heart-healthy choices.

We can fight back against heart disease and stroke.

Launched in September 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. by 2017.

Prevention starts with everyone. Protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Drive the initiative by challenging your family and friends to take the Million Hearts™ pledge at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.
• Get up and get active by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Know your ABCS:
  • Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day.
  • Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment.
  • If you Smoke, get help to quit.
• Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat.
• Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s prescription instructions.

Together, we can all be one in a million this Heart Month and every month. To learn more, visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.