02/01/2026
February is American Heart Month — a time to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health and the role early recognition and intervention play in saving lives. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and for prehospital providers, we are often the first link in the chain of survival when cardiac emergencies strike.
American Heart Month is an opportunity to reinforce training, review protocols, and recommit to delivering evidence-based cardiac care on every call.
February is also a great time to call awareness to our own cardiovascular health. Long hours, cortisol dumps, inadequate nutrition, and lax cardio conditioning contribute to the physical deterioration prehospital providers attribute to their jobs over the years. An aspect of being a team medic is ensuring everyone on the team is mentally AND physically prepared to operate to the best of their ability.
Strong hearts save lives — and so do prepared providers.