5 Ways to Recognize American Heart Month
The month of February is recognized in the United States as American Heart Month.
It is a month during the year when we increase our focus and raise awareness about cardiovascular health and heart disease. Everyone can participate in some way! Heart health is important for all of us. And, there are easy ways for you to get involved!
Here are 5 ideas:
1. Share information about heart health, risk factors of heart disease and heart-healthy living tips. Find plenty of social media friendly, digital content on the American Heart Association website at heart.org. The theme for Heart Month 2022 is hypertension, aka high blood pressure, a leading risk for heart disease and strokes. Find a ready-made toolkit of shareable content about hypertension on the CDC.gov website.
2. Spread the word about the Million Hearts Campaign! This is a public push to remind people to prioritize their cardiovascular health and to get their medical care back on track after delays and disruptions in care resulting from COVID-19 shutdowns. This is important! Find more information and social media content to share HERE.
3. Take time to recognize Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week, Feb. 7th – 14th. Congenital heart defects describe a variety of different heart conditions that are present from birth. CHDs are the most common birth defect in the United States and significantly impact the disability community. You can help spread awareness about congenital heart defects, their occurrence rate and treatment, recent research and medical advancements in care. Click HERE to find information to share.
4. Donate blood. Donating blood has a direct impact in our community. Your donation can literally save lives! Locate a convenient blood drive near your home, work or school using the Red Cross “Find a Drive” website or through Bloodworks Northwest.
5. Join the “7 Days of Self Care” Challenge. Heart healthy living is important for everyone… including yourself! Celebrate American Heart Month 2022 by joining the self-care challenge (find it here!) and sharing your progress on social media to raise awareness.
BONUS POINTER: When sharing information and raising awareness on social media, don’t forget to include these hashtags in your posts: #OurHearts AND #HeartMonth
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Whitney Stohr is a Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her four-year-old son Malachi and husband Jason in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.