February marks heart health month. And as the tweezers can be part of helpful health kits with tic removals and a good tool to have in your medicine cabinet for splinters and beauty supplies, I thought that I would add to the blog and talk a little about health during flu season.
This is a great time to learn more about how important good heart health is and take the necessary steps towards a healthier lifestyle. This month brings awareness about the silent killer – heart disease. If you didn’t already know, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. To help realize just how important our heart is, here are some interesting heart health facts below:
Heart Health Facts:
- Only 27% of people can identify all the major symptoms of a heart attack and know how to call 911 immediately when they occur. According to the CDC, the major signs of a heart attack are:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
About $1 in $6 US healthcare dollars is spent on cardiovascular disease each year. It’s the most costly condition in America. When you factor in lost productivity, the CDC estimates heart disease and stroke costs our country more than $320 billion a year. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
- Only 27% of people can identify all the major symptoms of a heart attack and know how to call 911 immediately when they occur. According to the CDC, the major signs of a heart attack are:
- The #1 killer of women in America is heart disease, more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. [American Heart Association]
- An adult heart pumps more than a gallon of blood per minute – enough to fill 38,000 drinking glasses each day! [Cleveland Clinic]
- Studies have shown yoga is effective in slowing down your heart rate, which can help lower your blood pressure. [American Heart Association]
- Laughing may increase overall health. Research suggests a good laugh can increase your blood flow by 20%. The positive effects of this can last for 24 hours. [American Heart Association]
This knowledge of vital heart health information can help us realize just how important our heart is. More exercise and better nutrition are simple, yet effective ways to work towards a healthier lifestyle. Getting regular checkups or biometric screenings can help you assess your heart health and allow you to work towards healthier goals.