In February, 1964, as President Johnson announced the first American Heart Month, he urged “the people of the United States to give heed to the nationwide problem of the heart and blood-vessel diseases, and to support the programs required to bring about its solution.” 

About a month before, the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health was published. For the first time, a federal government report had linked smoking and negative health impacts, including lung cancer and heart disease. 

Before these links became clear, people with heart conditions were often expected to die early or stay confined to bed rest -- we’ve come a long way in understanding and preventing the leading cause of death in Americans since then. And there is still a long way to go.

In 2021, the federally-designated month-long education and awareness event is even more critical, due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the public's heart health. The effects of the virus include potential harmful effects on the heart and vascular system, according to recent research.

Besides that, many people have delayed or avoided seeking preventive care or going to hospitals for actual heart attacks and strokes while in lockdown, and even more have engaged in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as eating poorly, drinking more alcohol and being sedentary.

In most cases, heart disease is preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, treating high blood pressure, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week and having regular checkups. 

Take care of your heart today, this month, this year and for as long as you can!