Recognizing American Heart Month

American Heart Month is observed to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Many people are unaware that February is the month reserved to focus on this important topic, which is unfortunately the cause of 600,000 American lives lost per year. Contrary to belief, this is not a modern phenomenon and can be traced all the way back to the B.C.E. days. Egyptian historians studying mummies as old as 3,500 years have detected signs of cardiovascular disease. They speculate that the high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle of upper-class Egyptians contributed to their poor health.

Heart Health Milestones

Thankfully today we have a deeper understanding of the causes of heart disease which allow us to prioritize our health. The public awareness surrounding this would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the American Heart Association (AHA). Formed in 1924, the AHA consisted of heart disease research groups coordinating efforts to understand and treat heart disease. This led to doctors in the 1950s beginning to understand cholesterol and the role of a low-fat diet in cardiovascular health. Technology and understanding advanced so fast that by 1967 Argentinian surgeon Rene Favaloro from Cleveland Clinic performed the first bypass surgery, changing heart treatment forever.

Valuable Cardiology Resources

There’s plenty of ways to raise awareness and celebrate American Heart Month. But before you do, it’s best to know where your own heart health stands with regular medical checkups. Florida has one of the highest number of cardiologists within the country. Do NOT hesitate to contact any of them if you suspect or experience any symptoms of cardiovascular issues.

Cardiology Associates of Stuart

Treasure Coast Heart & Vascular

Treasure Coast Cardiovascular Institute

Cardiology Associates of Central Brevard

Cardiovascular Associates (Orlando and Kissimmee)

Treasure Coast Medical Specialists (Okeechobee)

Hendry Regional Medical Center (Clewiston)

Florida Heart Association (Lee County)

Charlotte Heart & Vascular Institute (Port Charlotte)

Interesting Facts Concerning Cardiovascular Health

• 1 in 5 heart attacks occur unnoticed by individual
• Women are affected by heart attacks quite differently than men. They can experience pain in the back, arm, neck, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath and vomiting. Also, women under the age of 50 are twice as likely to die of a heart attack than men
• Heart attacks have been known to occur most frequently on Monday mornings. Increased blood pressure from the change in our circadian rhythm from the weekend can be the attributing factor in this.
• Diet soda leads to a 43% higher risk of a heart attack than regular soda

Heart Health Toolkit

Naturally, understanding the critical information pertaining to cardiovascular health can seem rather dull. But given this month is a perfect opportunity to speak to your close peers and family concerning this, why not make it a fun and enjoyable experience?! For the full tool kit and activity sheets please visit the CDC heart disease page here.

Caregivers Provide Guidance and Support

A Home Health Aid or Certified Nursing Assistant can help their clients with adhering to dietary requirements to promote good heart health. This is one of the many benefits of hiring a professional caregiver to assist an aging parent or spouse in the home or someone recovering after hospitalization discharge.  VIP America specializes in referring professional caregivers who provide home health care.  People helping people stay independent in their homes has been our mission for over 23 years.  We are available by phone 24/7 to assist you in any way we can.  Call us today at 888-343-9205.