February is American Heart Month!

February is not only Black History Month but also American Heart Month. Heart disease is a global problem – nearly 18.6 million people (about the population of New York) across the globe died of cardiovascular disease in 2019, the latest year for which worldwide statistics are calculated. That’s a 17.1% increase over the past decade. And 523.2 million cases of cardiovascular disease were reported in 2019, a 26.6% increase over 2010. But did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and stroke is the number five killer and a leading cause of disability? And that African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites?

Many Black Americans and other underserved groups experience disparities in access to high-quality cardiovascular healthcare. According to a 2019 cardiovascular disease study, it has “become increasingly clear that neighborhood, place of residence, and geography matter; and that community and neighborhood factors have a role in the disparities seen in cardiovascular outcomes.”

This year, the American Heart Association’s campaign focuses on raising awareness about how 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually. Furthermore, African American women are nearly 50% more likely to have high blood pressure as compared to non-Hispanic white women. The main risk factors for heart disease are diabetes, obesity and overweight, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cigarette smoking.

But there is good news: heart disease is usually preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight is at the top of the list of ways to avoid heart disease. The best ways to do that are by adopting a healthy diet and being physically active. These not only ease the burden on your heart but also positively impact your blood sugar and cholesterol, two other factors affecting your heart health. 

A heart-healthy diet includes eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and lowering salt intake. As for physical activity, the general recommendation is to get at least 150 minutes (about two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. While you are modifying your behavior for the better, it is advised that you don’t smoke and limit your alcohol intake. 

Broadway Stages wants this to be a year of healing and growth for all of us. So please, get regular checkups, stay active, and keep heart disease at bay! There is too much in the City to miss out on!