BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, where about one in four people die from heart disease.
Heart disease is one of a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that make up cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the world’s number one killer, responsible for 17.5 million deaths per year, mostly in low-to middle-income countries.
WiRED International recently updated its Heart Diseases Module, which presents a comprehensive educational course for general audiences. WiRED’s Health Learning Center contains an entire collection of training materials on cardiology, including modules on stroke, high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a nurse training series on RHD diagnosis and heart sounds in children.
Heart disease is preventable, and often reversible. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) urges everyone to lower the risk of heart disease through maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle. That means keeping to a healthy weight, managing stress, being physically active and quitting smoking. Studies have shown that small and realistic changes in lifestyle behaviors can reduce a person’s risk of a CVD and can lead to a healthier lifestyle overall.
Make heart health a priority this Valentine’s Day and every day.
Maintaining a Heart Healthy Lifestyle
Here are five changes to make:
Sample Questions from WiRED’s Heart Diseases Module Quiz