“February 1st marked the beginning of American Heart Month, a time
to think about what you can do to take care of your heart.
“The Department of Health and Human Services is working with public and
private partners to help Americans take care of their hearts and raise awareness
of heart disease through our various research efforts and programs. Million Hearts is a
national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, by
educating the public and health care professionals and bringing together diverse
partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.
“There are also a number of important programs aimed at reaching women with
critical heart disease information. The
Heart Truth and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiatives
provide adults and children with resources and tips to make heart healthy
changes in their lives.
“We are also reaching out to Latinas with Haga
La Llamada. ¡No Pierda Tiempo!, which builds on the Make the Call. Don’t
Miss a Beat campaign. The new Spanish-language campaign aims to educate and
encourage Spanish-speaking women to call 9-1-1 when they or their mothers,
sisters and friends, experience any symptom of a heart attack.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. In
fact, it claims the lives of more women than chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and lung cancer combined.
“But the good news for women and men is that most risk factors for heart
disease—including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity,
obesity, and smoking—are preventable and controllable. Controlling these risks
could reduce your risk of a heart attack by 80 percent. That's why the
Affordable Care Act is making preventive services such as blood pressure and
cholesterol screening, smoking cessation, and obesity counseling more accessible
than ever and at no out-of-pocket cost to millions of Americans with private
health insurance and those with
Medicare.
“Having the security of quality, affordable health insurance is vital in the
fight against heart disease. We are working with states to create Health
Insurance Marketplaces, where uninsured and underinsured Americans can compare
affordable health plans based on price, benefits, quality, and other important
features and choose one that best suits their needs. Enrollment begins Oct. 1,
2013, but you can sign up now to receive the latest updates. If you need health
insurance or know someone who does, see www.HealthCare.gov and learn what you can do now to prepare
for the new Marketplace.
“February is not just a time when many people fondly think of those close to
their heart. It is also a time to take care of your heart.”
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