American Heart Month
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American Heart Month
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
Each February, as hearts, chocolates, and flowers take center stage on Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded of our own love and affection, but February is also American Heart Month, a national call to pay attention to the literal heart – our cardiovascular health. In some ways, to love ourselves. This overlap of sentiment and science is by no coincidence. Just as we recognize and respond to emotional matters of the heart each February, we should be equally attuned to the physical heartbeat that sustains our very lives.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly one in every four lives. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, a major risk factor that often goes unnoticed until it’s life-threatening. This makes American Heart Month more than a health observance. It’s a reminder to love ourselves as much as we love others.
In Scott County, cardiovascular disease has also shaped local health outcomes. State data shows diseases of the heart ranked among the top causes of premature death, illustrating how heart health affects not just longevity but community well-being. Additionally, heart disease prevalence locally is similar to that across the state, with estimates around 9.8% of adults reporting coronary heart disease.
Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month go together, because together they offer a powerful metaphor that reminds us to cherish and protect what truly sustains us. Recognizing early signs of heart issues, like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or something as seemingly simple as fatigue, is as important as recognizing when someone needs emotional support. Educating ourselves about risk factors, getting regular check-ups, and embracing healthier lifestyle choices isn’t just wise, but an act of love, to ourselves, to those we love, and to our community.
This February, join SCN by celebrating love by strengthening hearts, both figuratively and literally.
