We often associate the month of February with hearts because of Valentine’s Day. However,
there’s another reason we should think about hearts in February: It’s American Heart Month! February is designated as American Heart Month to advocate for cardiovascular health and raise
awareness about heart disease. American Heart Month is a wonderful opportunity to focus your
attention on ways to promote and maintain heart health. Since 1963, American Heart Month has
been celebrated as a way to educate Americans to join the battle against heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. There are many factors that can
compromise the cardiovascular system, one of them being substance misuse, which includes both
drugs and alcohol. Misuse can contribute to several serious cardiovascular problems, including
stroke, coronary heart disease, or heart attack. According to the American Addiction Center,
alcohol’s impact on the cardiovascular system is dose dependent, and although persistent, heavy
drinking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease; even episodic heavy drinking can be
harmful to the heart.
You can do a lot to protect your heart and improve your heart health if you are already at risk for
heart-related illness. Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy
choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary
heart disease, the most common type. By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of
developing heart disease that could lead to a heart attack. You can also improve your overall
health and well-being. Keep these few tips in mind:
1. Be physically active.
2. Aim for a healthier weight.
3. Find healthy ways to reduce stress and improve sleep.
4. Quit smoking- quitting is hard, but many people have succeeded, and you can too. Ask
your family and friends for support in your effort.
5. Know your numbers, get regular checkups, and tell your doctor how you are doing. Keep
track of how much you exercise, and your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and
weight. All these numbers impact your risk for heart disease.
All of the above tips are ways to practice self-care. Self-care is heart-health care. When you take
care of your heart, you set an example for those around you to do the same. The Wayne County
Recovery Coalition (WCRC), Anchored, and Share Health Southeast Georgia want to help you
stay informed and healthy. Listen to your heart and speak up about your health. For more
information about WCRC, visit our website at https://waynecountyrecovery.com/ or contact
our Project Coordinator, Renee Bolin, at reneebolin@waynecountyrecovery.com.