Feb. Kicks off Heart Month Urging You – Be Your Own Heart Hero!

Heart disease claims the lives of more Americans every year than any other medical disorder, including all cancers combined, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). That is why people everywhere, in February, talk about hearth health and the importance of paying attention to your heart, preventing heart disease now, and partnering with your medical provider to stay on top of your heart health!

According to the AHA, cardiovascular disease kills more than 930,000 people in the U.S. every year and nearly half of Americans (48.6%) have some type of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and/or high blood pressure.

“This is the perfect time to embrace a healthier you because Heart Month is a global awareness campaign celebrated every year in February to inspire each of us to work on maintaining or improving heart health,” says Dr. David Prutzman, Interventional Structural Cardiologist, Abrazo Health.

An integral part of being your heart hero is getting to know your heart! Take a FREE online heart assessment at abrazohealth.com that only takes 2-3 minutes, it’s quick and easy, and you get near-immediate results, based on your answers, about your current risk level for heart disease.

Prutzman says, “Understanding your risk level is an important first step in prioritizing heart health. Share the results of your online heart assessment with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re high risk. Now is the time to make informed decisions and take proactive steps for your heart health, before it ever becomes too late.”

Heart Month also includes National Wear Red Day, Fri. Feb.7, also an annual event to raise awareness about heart disease, not just the leading cause of death in the United States, but the leading cause of death for women. People are encouraged to wear red clothing on this day to show support for women's heart health.

Abrazo Health encourages you to be your own heart hero by also treating yourself to a low-cost Angio Screen heart and stroke assessment. Abrazo Health is offering them in February at various Valley hospital locations: they take ~10 minutes and assess the circulatory system in your neck and ankle arteries, heart rhythm, blood pressure and fitness. The screenings can identify potential artery blockages and other heart health issues. Screening cost is $59. For dates, times, locations and/or to sign-up, click here. 

Media: For interviews or access to low-cost Angio screens for b-roll, please contact Linda Nofer.