Find Love This February with American Heart Month
It’s nearly February—the shortest month of the year, the month of St. Valentine’s Day and the month of love. For many, February can bring it with some anticipation and even exasperation. What do you get for your sweet honey bee? How can you find the perfect gift? What if you don’t have anyone to celebrate with?
Well, fear no more, because not only is February the month of love but it’s the month of loving yourself—American Heart Month. Give yourself and your loved ones the greatest gift this American Heart Month by focusing on making heart-healthy decisions towards a happier and healthier lifestyle.
What is heart disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease applies to a range of various diseases which affect the heart. Such conditions include blood vessel diseases, coronary artery issues, heart rhythm problems and congenital heart defects (among others).
“Heart disease” is a term often used synonymously with “cardiovascular disease,” which generally refers to conditions that include narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Blood vessel diseases can often lead to a heart attack, chest pain or even stroke. Despite the variation of heart disease a person has, it usually carries very serious side effects.
Why is it important?
Learning about heart disease and how to avoid it is important because it is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease every year.
Women especially are affected by heart disease, with their statistics being even higher. According to the American Heart Association, a woman dies by heart disease and stroke every 80 seconds. That’s 1 in 3 deaths every year. Thankfully, American Heart Month is taking steps to put a stop to this.
What is American Heart Month?
In an effort to fight cardiovascular disease, President Lyndon B. Johnson first declared February American Heart Month in 1964. Since then, the American Heart Association has dedicated the month to promoting awareness of heart disease and its risks.
How does American Heart Month make a difference?
American Heart Month makes a difference in our community and our nation by raising awareness for heart disease and how it can be prevented. It also provides a great opportunity to get involved, be vocal and help others who may not know of the potential risk.
How can you prevent heart disease?
If you’re interested in getting involved this February and promoting American Heart Month, the American Heart Association recommends you GO RED:
Get your numbers by asking your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.
Own your lifestyle and commit to stop smoking, exercise consistently and eat healthy.
Raise your voice and advocate for more cardiovascular disease research and education.
Educate your family and friends by making healthy food choices. Take time to teach those in your life the importance of staying active and monitoring their hearts.
Donate. Commit to a better future for our nation by showing support with your time or money.
This February, find love with American Heart Month. Take care of yourself and promote a change in your community by being educated and proactive on the risks of cardiovascular disease. Because the best way to celebrate love is with a healthy heart.
We Are Here to Answer Your Questions
What does your organization do?
EmpathyHQ provides counseling to individuals, groups, and families and empowers communities to live authentically and thrive. We break down barriers to accessing care, offering comprehensive and accessible mental health support on your journey to health and self-discovery. We are here to pave the way to a better you—and a better community.
With over 12,000 individuals benefiting from 100,000 hours of evidence-based mental health care and case management in the past four years alone, EmpathyHQ is making a tangible difference in the lives of Texans.
For a list of specific programs and services we provide, visit our Get Support section.
How can I get involved?
We welcome individuals who are passionate about mental health support and increasing access to resources. If you care about these issues, we'd love to have you join us. We support remote and in-person volunteer opportunities.
Visit our Get Involved section to find out ways to learn more, donate, or volunteer.
If I were to donate funds, how is my money used?
We take our responsibility to our community and donors seriously, striving to ensure EmpathyHQ's long-term sustainability. Our funds are used to provide mental health services for clients in need.
What is your organization's privacy policy?
Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and protects the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our clients, volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations—public, private or nonprofit. For more detailed information visit our Privacy Policy page.
Do I have to have custody agreement or court order for my child to receive services?
YES. If your child does not live with both biological parents and there is any court order or custody agreement in place, it must be on file. In order for a counselor to see your child, they must have obtained and reviewed the MOST RECENT custody agreement or court order, and any applicable part of a divorce decree that mentions custody. When federal or state statutes provide an exemption to secure consent of a parent or guardian prior to providing services to a minor, the counselor must follow the protocol set forth in such federal or state statutes. If documentation is not provided, your child cannot be seen by a counselor.
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