Heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year. It’s the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its affects, GetHealthyHarlem is proudly participating in American Heart Month!

In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

Want to improve the health of your heart? You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease.

• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy. Exercise can lower your chance of diabetes, which often leads to heart disease
• Talk to your doctor about taking anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, every day if you are a man over the age of 45, or a woman past menopause
• Manage stress

As part of American Heart Month, GetHealthyHarlem.org has several great resources to help you start to think about how to improve your heart health by making some simple lifestyle changes!

• Dr. Icilma Fergus works with African American and Hispanic patients in Harlem to fight heart disease! Find out what she has to say about preventing heart attacks, warning signs for heart disease, and how you and your heart can stay healthy! http://gethealthyharlem.org/articles/harlem-word-dr-icilma-fergus-partners-african-american-and-hispanic-patients-fight-heart-di
• Stressed? Did you know that stress can be just as bad for your heart and overall health as high blood pressure, poor diet, and lack of exercise? Meditation, relaxation, and prayer are some great strategies that can help you manage and reduce your stress! http://gethealthyharlem.org/articles/did-you-knowspirituality-prayer-and-meditation-can-reduce-stress
• Did you know that you can make your fast food healthier for your heart? Find out how and take steps to making your favorite fast foods better for you and your heart! http://gethealthyharlem.org/articles/did-you-knowyou-can-make-your-fast-food-meal-healthier

Find out more about national campaigns that are working hard to fight heart disease for all of us:

• Two million heart attacks and strokes occur each year in the US. The national Million Hearts campaign was launched in September to plan programs and services that will help prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years! Want to know more? Visit the website: http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/
• WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, is holding several Heart Month activities this month! Get involved and learn more about how to make changes that will lead to healthier hearts! http://www.womenheart.org/programsEvents/events/American-Heart-Month-2012.cfm
• Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association! Fight the number one killer of women during Heart Month! http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/