February is American Heart Month: Take Charge of Your Heart Health

February is American Heart Month: Take Charge of Your Heart Health

Risk Factors | Understanding Heart Disease in HVHD Towns | Heart Health Resources | Recipe |
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According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. In 2022, 702,880 people died from heart disease, which is the equivalent of 1 in every 5 deaths. This February, during American Heart Month, we emphasize the importance of heart health and encourage everyone to take proactive steps to reduce their risk.

Risk Factors of CVD

Several factors increase the risk of developing heart disease:

  • High Cholesterol: Elevated levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
  • Smoking: Significantly raises the risk of heart disease.
  • Obesity: Excess weight contributes to heart disease.
  • Physical Inactivity: Lack of exercise is detrimental to heart health.

Take Action: Steps to a Healthier Heart

  • Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
  • Know Your Numbers: Regularly check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
  • Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your meals.
  • Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
  • Quit Smoking: Seek resources to help you stop smoking.
  • Limit Alcohol Consumption: Drink in moderation.

Understanding Heart Disease in HVHD Towns

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a range of heart and blood vessel disorders, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease.

The interactive dashboard below shows data from the CDC PLACES program comparing the percentage of people with coronary heart disease in six towns from 2023 to 2024. Coronary heart disease is a condition where the blood flow to the heart is reduced, which can cause serious health problems.

Here’s what the data shows for each town:

  • Woodbury: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 5.5% in 2023 to 7.0% in 2024.
  • New Milford: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 4.7% in 2023 to 6.1% in 2024.
  • Oxford: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 4.9% in 2023 to 7.1% in 2024.
  • Sharon: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 7.5% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024.
  • Southbury: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 7.0% in 2023 to 8.0% in 2024.
  • Washington: The percentage of people with coronary heart disease increased from 6.0% in 2023 to 8.0% in 2024.

The map on the left highlights these towns, with darker colors representing higher percentages of coronary heart disease. The bar graph on the right shows how the numbers have changed from 2023 to 2024.

These increases suggest the importance of focusing on heart health in these communities. Steps like eating healthy, exercising, and checking in with your doctor can help lower your risk of heart disease.

Click here to explore HVHD’s Community Profile Dashboard

Heart Health Resources

Here’s how you can learn more and take action to ensure your heart health:

  1. American Heart Association (AHA) – Resources on heart disease prevention, heart-healthy recipes, and tips for an active lifestyle.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention – Offers tools to manage heart disease risk factors, educational materials, and data-driven insights.
  3. Connecticut Department of Public Health – Heart Disease Prevention and Control Program – State-level initiatives for cardiovascular health and links to local services.
  4. AHA Heart-Healthy Recipes – Find low-sodium, heart-healthy meals to try.

Healthy Recipe: Quick Chicken Fajitas, Beans and Spanish Rice (AHA)

Ingredients

Servings  4  

Beans and Rice
  • 16 oz. canned, fat-free, no-salt-added black beans (drained, rinsed)
  • 1 cup brown rice (cooked to package instructions)
Quick Chicken Fajitas
  • non-stick Cooking spray
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins (cut into 1-inch strips)
  • 1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 medium bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 medium onion (sliced)
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • taco-sized tortillas, or corn tortillas (Choose tortillas with the lowest amount of saturated fat, trans fat and sodium.)
  • 1 avocado (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup jarred salsa (lowest sodium available)
  • 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

Beans and Rice
  • Spray a small pot with cooking spray, heat beans over low-heat until warmed, stirring occasionally (approx. 10 minutes).
  • Combine cooked rice with 2 tablespoons salsa and stir.
Quick Chicken Fajitas
  • Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat to medium-high and add chicken, cook for 3 minutes until browned.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add soy sauce, bell pepper, onions, pepper and cumin. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Spoon evenly over tortillas and top with sliced avocado, salsa and/or sour cream (optional).

Stay Involved with HVHD Programs

HVHD is here to support your health and well-being year-round. Don’t miss these programs and services:

HVHD has partnered with Pulse 4 Pulse for the month of February to bring heart health screenings to you. These non-invasive screenings will take place throughout New Milford, Oxford, Sharon, Southbury,and Woodbury  and can detect numerous conditions including: Peripheral Artery Disease, Complex Pain Disorders, Atherosclerosis, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, Diabetic Neuropathy, Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy, Vascular Abnormalities, Type 2 Diabetes prior to symptoms. Most insurances are accepted.

Click the link below to schedule an appointment and for more information:

Save The Date for our upcoming Narcan and QPR virtual class on March 10th

Visit our website for more information and to register for upcoming events.

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