Let’s Celebrate a Tale of 2 Hearts with American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day. The American Heart Association says February is the perfect month to show love for your heart.
American Heart Month is celebrated in the same month as Valentine’s Day embraced by National Wear Red Day on the 1st Friday of February to raise awareness of heart health. As we celebrate this festive weekend with chocolates, roses, and fine dining let’s reflect on the importance of heart disease and good heart health.
Why do we celebrate American Heart Month?
American Heart Month started in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson who suffered a heart attack to increase awareness of the importance of heart disease. That same year they announced smoking was bad for you and linked it to lung cancer and heart disease.
Heart Disease is the number one killer of both men and women with 1 out of 5 people dying from heart disease in 2021. Risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol use (limit to one glass for women and two glasses for men daily), and menopause.
How do I know if I have heart disease?
Heart disease like high blood pressure is called the “silent killer,” because you may or may not have symptoms until you suffer your first heart attack, and this is why screening or discussing heart disease with your doctor is important for heart health.
If you do have symptoms, classic ones are chest pressure like an “elephant sitting on my chest,” shortness of breath especially with activity, and less common include jaw pain, arm and neck pain, lightheadedness, passing out, sweating, nausea and even fatigue that is out of the ordinary. In women the symptoms of an early heart attack may even be harder to recognize.
What tests can check for heart disease?
There are screening tests including a 12 lead EKG (electrocardiogram) that measures and records the heart’s electrical activity and can also tell if there is heart damage. Blood pressure screening starts at age 18 with yearly screening recommended for those age 40 and above, cholesterol screening starting at age 20, diabetes screening starting at age 35 and now there is a 3-panel test with C-reactive protein, lipoprotein A, and LDL (type of cholesterol) that can predict risk of heart attack many years before it happens.
What about a Calcium Scoring Test?
Calcium Scoring test is a special CAT scan that images your heart and shows if calcium is building up in the blood vessels of the heart. The more calcium builds up the higher the risk for a heart attack as limits the blood flow to the heart muscle if not treated.
This test is very useful in certain people to predict risk or chances of a heart attack especially those, for example, who have high cholesterol but no other risk factors for heart disease and are deciding if they should take cholesterol lowering medication like statins. It can also be helpful if you are age 40-70 and at higher risk for heart disease but have no symptoms.
Any last thoughts on American Heart Month?
American Heart Month is a great time to think about our hearts, heart heath, and the heart health of our loved one. It is celebrated in the same month as Valentine’s Day symbolized with National Wear Red Day to capture the passion, love and importance of good heart health.
Heart health is key to making you feel your best, increases your energy levels, independence and overall well-being. Key is controlling blood pressure, diabetes, lowering cholesterol, eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and veggies, avoiding saturated fats, exercise, and keeping fit. Screening tests and discussing any symptoms you are having with your doctor is critical.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and enjoy American Heart Month-your life may depend on it.
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