Michigan health experts encourage healthy heart habits for American Heart Month

While February is known for having hearts out for Valentine’s Day, there’s another reason to focus on hearts this month: heart health.

“We really want Americans to take a moment and just kind of reflect on their heart health,” American Heart Association West Michigan Communications Director Remi Monaghan said.

The American Heart Association is encouraging everyone to do this during American Heart Month. Since 1964, it has been an opportunity to take inventory of your heart’s condition, and for good reason. Monaghan says heart disease is the top killer of both men and women in the country, more than all forms of cancer combined.

“And, unfortunately, we know as well that nine out of 10 cardiac arrests that happen outside of the hospital don’t have a positive outcome,” Monaghan continued. “That’s a survival chance of 1 in 10.”

Western U.P. Health Department Medical Director Robert Van Howe says there are various factors you can control to help prevent this. For example, finding a way to reduce stress and control your blood pressure.

“It’s difficult to get out and exercise,” Van Howe said. “So, sometimes what you need to do is find friends that you get in the habit of walking or exercising with on a regular basis.”

Van Howe says watching your food consumption control, too, is important.

“We eat when we’re not hungry,” Van Howe continued. “We eat based on what time it is. A lot of restaurants have portions that are much larger than you need. We tend to eat with our eyes, rather than relying on what our system tells us when we’re full.”

Other people’s safety is also something you should be prepared for. Hands-only CPR is a skill the association highly encourages you to learn this month.

“It’s also most common that you will probably have to perform hands-only CPR on somebody you know and love,” Monaghan added. “Being able to confidently perform that skill is really, really crucial.”