In case you weren’t already aware, February is American Heart Health Month, which means it’s a great opportunity to remember the many important steps we should all be taking to ensure that this most vital organ stays strong and healthy. Whether you are a health care professional or not, you can help the AHA further promote its mission and spread awareness of this important cause in a number of ways. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Wear Red

The AHA actually created an event entitled “Go Red for Women,” which is a campaign designed to correct the common misconception that heart disease is something that only happens to men. Wearing red during this month is a great way to show support and create the opportunity to start a conversation about the importance of women making heart-healthy behavior and lifestyle changes.

Spread the Word

If you happen to work in the health care field, you have a golden opportunity to help spread the word about the importance of taking good care of one’s heart. Not only do you have this chance when interacting with patients, but you can also leverage other powerful tools, like social media, to help spread awareness about American Hearth Month. In recognition of this, the AHA has created an official hashtag: #GoRed, which is meant to inspire others to share their stories and experiences surrounding the topic. You can use this hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Know the Warning Signs

Heart disease is the number one killer in America and a big reason for this is that people often don’t know how to recognize the symptoms. As a result, the condition often goes unnoticed until it’s too late and a heart attack occurs. By learning what these common warning signs are, not only can you keep yourself safe from harm, but you’ll also be in a better position to help others who may be at risk of a future cardiac episode. Some of these signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Coughing
• Shortness of Breath
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Swelling
• Rapid and/or Irregular Pulse
• Pain (Anywhere in the Body)

Become CPR Certified

CPR isn’t just for medical professionals. In fact, everyone can (and should) know how to perform this life-saving activity to protect themselves and those around them in the event of a cardiac episode. If you haven’t done so already, February is a great time to pursue your CPR certification. More importantly, even if you’re juggling a super busy schedule and feel you don’t have the time to sit through classes, you now have the option of becoming certified right online in your own spare time. It’s fast, convenient and affordable and it could mean the difference between life and death!

Donate

If you don’t have time or would like to do more to help further this important cause, there’s always the option to donate financially. In addition to the American Heart Association, there are a number of other organizations that are working hard to help keep people healthy, including The Heart Foundation and The Children's Heart Foundation. Remember – every little bit counts!

Now’s as good a time as any to remember the importance of keeping your heart healthy and helping others around you to do the same. These are just a few ideas for how you can make this year’s American Heart Month truly count.