Keep Your Heart Strong: Celebrate American Heart Health Month
Posted by Dr. Sharandeep Takhar MD, MBA on Feb 4th 2025
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, in 2022, it was responsible for one in every five deaths (CDC). That's no small number, and it’s something we can’t ignore. At MDD, we’re passionate about shining a spotlight on heart health, especially this February, as we observe American Heart Health Month.
But what exactly is heart disease? It’s actually an umbrella term for a range of serious conditions, including:
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Strokes
These conditions can sound scary, but the good news is that you have the power to reduce your risk!
The Two Faces of Heart Disease Risk
Heart disease doesn’t just happen out of nowhere—it’s the result of a mix of modifiable and non-modifiable factors.
Modifiable factors are things you can change, like:
- What you eat
- How much you exercise
- How much you drink
- Whether or not you smoke
- And your weight
On the flip side, non-modifiable factors are things you can’t change, like:
- Your age
- Your ethnicity/race
- Your family history
How to Stay Heart-Smart!
Even if you have some non-modifiable risk factors, there’s still so much you can do to protect your heart. One of the simplest and most important steps? Get regular check-ups with your doctor.
Blood pressure is something to keep a close eye on. Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the "silent killer" because it often shows no symptoms. But trust us - it's a big deal! It can damage your arteries and lead to serious heart conditions down the line.
You can also use vital sign monitors to keep tabs on your resting heart rate - a higher resting heart rate can indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
More advanced tests to assess the risk of heart disease include ECG (electrocardiogram) machines, which measure the electrical activity of the heart, stress tests to evaluate how the heart performs under physical exertion, and blood tests to check for conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol, which are closely linked to heart disease.
Get Advanced: Digging Deeper with Testing
Want to take it to the next level? There are several tests that can give you a clearer picture of your heart health:
- ECG machines (electrocardiograms) measure the electrical activity of your heart.
- Stress tests see how your heart holds up under physical exertion.
- Blood work checks for risk factors like high cholesterol and diabetes.
These tests can help you catch early warning signs and make informed decisions to protect your health.
Why MDD Cares
At MDD, we’re all about providing the tools and knowledge you need to take charge of your health - especially when it comes to the heart. With heart disease still one of the leading causes of death, there's no time like Heart Health Month to take action. Let’s work together to make sure we're not just living, we're thriving.
So this February, give your heart a little extra love. Make an appointment with your doctor, get those vital signs checked, and be proactive about keeping your heart in tip-top shape. Your heart will thank you for it!
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