Photo courtesy Scott Kipphut
youth and adults is at an all-time high,
youth are being diagnosed with heart
disease earlier than ever and people
just ZIP codes apart can live 25 years
less than their neighbors because of
disparities in health. American Heart
Month is vital for awareness, but the
American Heart Association urges
people to take care of their hearts year-
round. Consider the facts:
• Heart disease kills more people than
all forms of cancer combined.
• Heart attacks affect more people
every year than the population of Dallas,
Texas.
• 83% believe that heart attacks can
be prevented but aren't motivated to do
anything.
• 72% of Americans don't consider
themselves at risk for heart disease.
• And 58% put no effort into
improving their heart health.
While science is advancing medicine
in exciting new ways, unhealthy lifestyle
choices combined with rising obesity
rates in both children and adults have
hindered progress fighting heart disease.
The good news is that heart disease
is preventable in most cases with healthy
choices, which include not smoking,
maintaining a healthy weight, controlling
blood sugar and cholesterol, treating
high blood pressure, getting at least 150
minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity a week and getting regular
checkups.
The first Friday of the month, Feb.
5, is National Wear Red Day. Coast
to coast, landmarks, news anchors
and neighborhoods will go red to
raise awareness and support for heart
disease. For more information, visit
www.goredforwomen.org.
Keturah "is an incredible
foot solider in the war on
heart disease and stroke,
always willing to tell her story
so that others may learn
the warning signs and take
action more quickly."
~ Cyd King,
Communications director,
american Heart association-nWa
Keturah White
Sunday, January 31, 2021 | February - HaPPy HearT nWadg.COm/yOuaTyOurbeST | yOu aT yOur beST | 7
