02/19/2026
Heart health is shaped by more than what we eat or how often we exercise.
Chronic stress can strain the heart in ways similar to smoking. Lack of sleep can raise blood pressure and increase the workload on your heart. And loneliness or social isolation can increase the risk of heart disease by nearly 30%. These factors often go unnoticed, but they matter — and they’re deeply connected to how we live, work, and care for one another.
This American Heart Month, we’re encouraging conversations that go beyond the surface. Protecting heart health means prioritizing rest, managing stress, and staying connected — not just individually, but as communities.
If you’re looking for support or more information, explore resources from the American Heart Association at heart.org, the CDC’s heart health tools at cdc.gov/heartdisease, and mental health support through 988lifeline.org.
Taking care of your heart is also about taking care of your life.