02/05/2026
February is American Heart Month!
❤️ American Heart Month: A Legacy of Action That Saves Lives ❤️
American Heart Month has always been about more than awareness—it’s about action. In the early 1960s, American Heart Association–supported scientists discovered that combining breaths with chest compressions could restart a heart. This breakthrough launched modern CPR and doubled—sometimes even tripled—survival rates for cardiac arrest.
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed February as American Heart Month, making heart disease a national priority. As CPR became formally endorsed and public education campaigns about heart attack warning signs grew in the 1970s, American Heart Month became a powerful rallying point—helping everyday people recognize emergencies, respond quickly, and save lives.
📊 Heart Disease Quick Facts
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, nearly 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. was caused by heart disease.
• High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, yet only 1 in 4 have it under control.
• Heart disease is also costly, with health care services and medications totaling more than $168 billion between 2021 and 2022.
💪 Anyone Can Be a Lifesaver
In a cardiac emergency, the first responder is often not a uniformed professional—it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or even a stranger nearby. You are the first responder until professional help arrives. Ordinary people have extraordinary power. This American Heart Month, learn CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers. Be Ready. Find a CPR class at heart.org/nation
👚 SAVE THE DATE – TOMORROW!
❤️ National Wear Red Day®
📅 Friday, February 6, 2026
Go red to support women’s cardiovascular health! Wear red, share educational resources, and consider donating to support research and education.
🤝 Get Involved
Become a volunteer and help create a healthier world free of heart disease and stroke. Together, we can save lives—this month and every month.
(Sources: https://www.heart.org/en/american-heart-month, https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/php/heart-month/index.html )