[NAME OF CHC] to Promote National Heart Month During February
Every 25 seconds, a coronary event will happen, and about every minute, an American will die from the
event. In 2010, 785,000 new coronary attacks were reported and an additional 470,000 Americans
experienced a recurrent attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During the month of February, the [INSERT NAME OF CHC] will observe American Heart Month to raise
awareness about heart risks for both men and women.
"Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States, and a major cause of
disability," said [INSERT NAME OF CEO]. "Coronary heart disease most commonly appears as a heart
attack."
Coronary heart disease is not the only risk for the heart that people face. Other diseases and conditions
include heart arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Some of the common risk
factors for developing heart issues include: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes,
tobacco use, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and secondhand smoke. A report by The Institute
of Medicine found that if a person is briefly exposed to secondhand smoke, it can increase the risk for a
heart attack or other heart conditions.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can come in various forms. Some heart attack symptoms appear
suddenly and include intense pain, but most heart attacks develop slowly and the person feels mild pain
and discomfort. Most heart attacks start with discomfort in the center of the chest, with the sensation
either lasting more than a few minutes or going away and returning at a later time. This uncomfortable
feeling often feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Discomfort may be noticeable in the arms,
back, neck, jaw, or stomach, all parts of the upper body. Shortness of breath is a common symptom and
can occur without the feeling of discomfort in the chest. Other signs and symptoms include cold sweats,
nausea, and lightheadedness.
"People who are experiencing heart attacks often think they just have indigestion or discomfort in their
chest. If this feeling occurs, it is important to consult your doctor to see if you may be experiencing a
heart attack," said [INSERT NAME OF CEO]. "Our Community Health Center is available to do heart
screenings to increase patients' awareness of possible heart disease or other heart related issues."
The CDC recommends that people maintain a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and proper diet
to decrease their chance of heart disease. It is important to eat lean meats or poultry without the skin,
fat free or low in fat dairy products, food that is low in trans fat, and food that is low in dietary
cholesterol (less than 300mg per day). Food and beverages should also have low or no added sugars, be
low in salt/sodium, and reasonable portion sizes. If a person drinks alcohol, they should do so in
moderation, with females consuming one drink per day and males two drinks per day.
Many misperceptions exist regarding women and heart disease. Heart disease is often viewed as a
"man's disease" or an "older woman's disease." However, in 2007, 306,246 women died from heart
disease, accounting for about 50% of heart related deaths in the United States during that year. Heart
disease is the leading cause of death for females ages 65 and older, but it is also the third leading cause
for those 25-44 and the second leading cause for females ages 45-64.
On February 3, 2012, many organizations, including [INSERT NAME OF CHC], will recognize National
Wear Red Day. This campaign is held annually on the first Friday of February and is sponsored by the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in an effort to warn women about heart disease, the number
one health threat for American women. [INSERT NAME OF CHC] encourages the community of [INSERT
NAME OF COMMUNITY YOU SERVE] to wear red on Friday, February 3 to join us in raising awareness
about heart disease in both males and females.
"Nearly 70-89% of male heart attacks occur suddenly, so knowing where your heart health stands is
extremely important whether you are a male or female," said [INSERT NAME OF CHC].
For more information about heart health, visit the Iowa Primary Care Association's Facebook
(facebook.com/ianepca) and Twitter (twitter.com/iowapca) pages during the month of February. To
schedule an appoint with [INSERT NAME OF CHC] to determine your heart health, contact us at [INSERT
PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITE].
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