February is American Heart Month

  • Published
  • By Carol O'Maley
  • 56 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  As the song goes, "Ya Gotta Have Heart," especially during the month we celebrate Valentine's Day. Perhaps that's why February has been tagged American Heart Month by the Centers for Disease Control. Keeping a heart happy includes keeping it healthy.

Here, the CDC provides some wake-up stats and heart-healthy reminders.

Heart disease -- not cancer -- is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Close to 700,000 people die annually from heart disease in America. That's almost 30 percent of all U.S. deaths each year. Heart disease
is also a major cause of disability.

Women now account for more than half of those deaths. Heart disease is the second leading killer among American women ages 45-64; the third lethal disease for those between the ages of 21 and 44; and the leading cause of death for women ages 65 and older.

What can men and women do to reduce the devastating effects of heart attacks? Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. However, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected are not sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest for more than a few minutes, or it goesaway and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath, which may occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Call 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of these symptoms.

Healthy Lifestyle Can Prevent Heart Disease

Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated fat.

Select fat-free, 1 percent and low-fat dairy products.

Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fats.

Eat foods containing less than 300 mg of cholesterol daily.

Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.

Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Intake goal: less than 2300 mg sodium daily.

Men should limit alcohol to two drinks a day; women, to one a day.