WEST PALM BEACH – American Heart Month, celebrated every February, raises awareness for how individuals can lower their risk of heart disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association has opportunities throughout the month to focus on  heart health. 

Learn CPR

An estimated 70 percent of cardiac arrest cases that happen outside of a hospital happen at home. That means that if someone is called upon to perform CPR, it’s most likely to save the life of someone they live with. With more than 350,000 people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year, including 23,000 children, CPR is a critical skill. Learn Hands-Only CPR or find a CPR class at heart.org/nation.

Wear Red on February 6 for National Wear Red Day

On National Wear Red Day Friday, Feb. 6, landmarks across the area will turn their lights red, and people will wear red, to raise awareness for women’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, and nearly 45% of women over age 20 have some form of it. Share your best Wear Red Day photos on social media with #PBGoRed and tag @AmericanHeartFL to help spread the message.

Take the Life’s Essential 8 quiz

Life’s Essential 8 are key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, such as sleep, diet and blood pressure. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems. Take our online quiz at Heart.org to learn more about the lifestyle changes you could make to improve your heart health.

Get active

Field Day - Are you and your coworkers interested in getting more active together? The American Heart Association hosts “Field Day” events year-round for companies to create their own teams, rally around a fundraising goal and celebrate with an afternoon of classic Field Day yard games, including tug of war, hula hoop contests and water balloon toss. It’s one way to bring team members closer together and get more physical activity. Contact PBC@Heart.org to learn more about bringing a Field Day event to your company.

Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge - Students across the country get active with the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge in their schools. Find out if your child’s school is a part of the program at Heart.org/schools.

The American Heart Association has plenty of ideas to help people get more active, from physical activities for kids to creating your own at-home workout routine. Visit Heart.org and click on “healthy living” to learn more.

Become a Heart Powered advocate

The American Heart Association advocates year-round at the local, state and federal levels for policies that help our communities live longer, healthier lives. This February, Heart Powered advocates are urging Florida legislators to fund last year's CPR in Schools Bill so students can learn lifesaving CPR, blood pressure monitors can be covered by Medicaid, and patients with high blood pressure can check and manage their numbers at home. Your voice can make a difference. Learn more and join us at HeartPowered.org.

Don’t miss the chance to make a difference this February – wear red, learn CPR, and do something good for your heart health!