What is Million Hearts™?
Million Hearts™ is a national initiative launched in September 2011 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over 5 years.
Why?
Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States. Americans suffer more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year, and every day 2,200 people die from heart disease.
What are the risk factors of heart disease?
- Age
- Race
- Gender
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity
One in three Americans has high blood pressure, and many of them do not know it. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is often called the "silent killer" because there are usually no symptoms. Blood pressure is something that you can control. Simple changes in your life, like diet and exercise, can help lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.
What can you do?
You can't fix a problem if you don't know it is there. That is why the Million Hearts™ campaign is urging you to check your blood pressure. After you have your blood pressure checked, go to this site and report that you checked your blood pressure.
The Rappahannock WIC Program supported the Million Hearts™ campaign on September 28, 2012 when we all tested our blood pressures at our staff meeting.
If we can do it, so can you! This is your chance to be one in a million hearts!
Sarah Whitson, Nutritionist Sr.
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