02/13/2026
February is American Heart Month, a critical, federally designated time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US, killing over 600,000 Americans annually. Approximately 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. is attributed to heart disease, making lifestyle management and prevention crucial.
Key Heart Health Facts & Statistics-
Leading Cause of Death: Heart disease is the #1 killer for both men and women.
High Blood Pressure: Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (hypertension), which is a major risk factor.
Heart Attack Frequency: Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 42 seconds, and someone dies from a heart-related event every minute.
High Costs: Heart disease costs the U.S. health system over $100 billion annually.
Impact on Women: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, often recognized during Go Red for Women events.
Key Risk Factors-
Uncontrolled Factors: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are major contributors.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet are leading, preventable causes of heart disease.
Sleep: Poor sleep (less than 7–9 hours) is an overlooked factor that increases risks.
How to Take Action in February-
Wear Red: Support National Wear Red Day to raise awareness.
Learn CPR: The American Heart Association emphasizes that hands-only CPR can double or triple survival rates.
Get Screened: Know your numbers for blood pressure and cholesterol.
Lifestyle Changes: Adopt a low-salt, low-fat diet and increase physical activity.
