American Heart Month starts today. Uncontrolled hypertension is one of the leading causes of death in the country. This February, help turn the tide and improve heart health across the nation. Here are the five ways how you and your patients can raise awareness for heart health this month.
- Learn insights from experts on hypertension - Take part in a Google Hangout focused on the latest compelling information, research and technology on diagnosing and managing hypertension. All you need to participate in this AMA-hosted event is a Gmail account and a desire to discuss improving heart health to build #AHealthierNation. On Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Eastern time, primary care physician Michael Rakotz, MD, director of chronic disease prevention with the AMA’s Improving Health Outcomes initiative, will moderate the conversation.
- Make a statement in red - Another important day this month, sponsored by the American Heart Association, is the 13th Annual National Wear Red Day, taking place Feb. 5. Make a life-saving fashion statement by donning your favorite red outfit to raise awareness to help prevent heart disease and stroke—the leading causes of death in the nation.
- Participate in Million Hearts® weekly health activities - Million Hearts®, a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017, will focus on one aspect contributing to heart health each of the four weeks of American Heart Month. You and your patients can use the next four weeks as a launch pad to establishing lifelong—not just monthlong—healthy heart habits, including:
- Eating healthy
- Being physically active
- Setting goals to improve your health
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure
- Get timely information from physician commenters - Throughout the month, several heart health-focused organizations and individuals will be active on Twitter under the hashtag #HeartMonth. Follow the AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) and the American Heart Association (@American_Heart) for resources and information on what’s happening during American Heart Month and resources that can help you advocate for heart health. Also, follow these physician experts and health journalists:
- Mike Cadogan, MD, an emergency medicine physician in Perth, Australia
- Bryan Vartabedian, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston
- Barbara Ficarra, a leading nurse voice in health journalism and writer for the Huffington Post
- Shelley Wood, a quality health systems administrator at 3M Healthcare
- Larry Husten, a health news writer and editor of cardiobrief.org
- Tara Parker Pope, editor of the New York Times’ Well blog
- Access resources for getting the best blood pressure readings - Watch AMA Wire® for heart health information throughout the month, and learn what you need to know to implement successful self-measured blood pressure with your patients. Also, check out the one video you need for accurate blood pressure readings.
