February 2012

American Heart Month

Heart Disease is the Number One Cause of Death. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.

The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future.

For more information on heart disease and stroke, visit http://www.livehealthygeorgia.org/peopleheart.shtml or
Georgia Department of Public Health
Keith Mitchell, Program Manager
Cardiovascular Health Initiative
Contact: (706) 507-1865 or kwmitchell@dhr.state.ga.us

National Wear Red Day: February 3

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of hospitals, small businesses, multinational corporations, news broadcasters, schools, individuals and even landmarks “Go Red” to help raise crucial awareness and significant funds tin the fight against heart disease in women. For more information on how you can get involved, visit National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center.