February 2008

NHM Health Focus: Heart Health

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for women and men over the age of 40. Several events in February focus our attention on how heart disease affects people of all ages.

• American Heart Month In 2008, an estimated 770,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, and about 430,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 26 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one. CDC

• National Wear Red Day (February 1), sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI), calls attention to the role heart disease plays in women's health.

• Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14). The Congenital Heart Information Network (CHIN) is coordinating a program to increase public awareness of Congenital Heart Defects and Childhood Heart Disease.  

The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future. For more information on heart disease and stroke, visit CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.

For more about heart disease see:

• All About the Heart A "kid-friendly" site describes heart structure, how it works, and "how to keep it happy". (KidsHealth)
• Heart Truth for Women: It's Ageless A summary of how heart disease and its risk factors are important at every age. (NHBLI)
• Act in time - Heart Attack Signs Designed to help readers understand the need for medical attention within one hour, this site considers who is at risk, when one should act, and how quick action can reduce further heart damage or death. (NHBLI)
• Coronary Heart Disease Explained The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains coronary heart disease and its link to blood cholesterol level. (NHBLI)

To check your knowledge of the heart and heart disease see:

• Estimate your risk of having a heart attack. (NHBLI)
• Test your knowledge of heart and circulatory system anatomy. (University of Minnesota)
• Use these quizzes to see what you know about cholesterol and heart disease. (NHBLI)
  

Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum has these resources related to heart health:

Activities Exchange: Classic Collection - The Heart and the Circulatory System: Background
Activities Exchange: Classic Collection - The Heart and Circulatory System: Anatomy of the Heart
Activities Exchange: Activities-to-Go - Travel Brochure of the Body Systems
Activities Exchange: Activities-to-Go - Heart Engineering Activity
Health Headquarters: Question of the Week - Heart Disease
What's News: Newsmaker Interview - New Guidelines Target Women and Heart Disease
What's News: Newsmaker Interview - State of the Heart - The Future of Cardiology