With Valentine’s Day on the calendar in February, hearts are already top of mind. It’s fitting, then, that February is also Heart Health Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness of heart disease and how to keep hearts strong. With so much focus on hearts this month, February serves as a meaningful reminder that caring for heart health can help ensure more time, energy, and love to share on Valentine’s Day and beyond.
What Is Heart Health Month and Why Is It Important?
Like other national observances, such as Disability Awareness Month in October, Heart Health Month is meant to raise awareness. The focus is on educating individuals and communities about common heart health risk factors and the steps they can take to support better, long-term heart health.
Raising awareness matters because heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women in the U. S., and it often develops quietly without clear warning signs. The good news is that many forms of heart disease are largely preventable. Small but meaningful lifestyle changes, such as eating nourishing foods, staying physically active, managing stress, and more, can play an important role in prevention. Heart Health Month serves as a reminder that these consistent, everyday choices help protect the heart and support long-term well-being.
Why Is February Dedicated to Heart Health Awareness?
February has been recognized as National Heart Health Month since President Lyndon B. Johnson designated it in 1964. Having suffered a heart attack, he issued a proclamation encouraging the nation to focus on heart disease prevention. At the time, heart disease was already a leading public health concern. Therefore, dedicating a specific month helped further raise national attention to the importance of heart health education and early prevention.
Public health organizations, including the American Heart Association, have continued to build on this awareness by using February as a time to share reliable information, promote healthy habits, and encourage regular heart health screenings. Dedicating an entire month to heart health reinforces consistent messaging and reminds people to prioritize it through awareness and lifestyle changes.
Heart Health Month Facts and Statistics
Heart disease continues to affect millions of individuals and families, and understanding key statistics1 can help highlight its seriousness. The following facts provide helpful context on the impacts of heart disease and the importance of spreading educational awareness.
- Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the U.S., and more than one person dies from a heart disease-related event every 60 seconds.
- 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease or stroke.
- 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education.
- In 2023, there were 915,973 deaths from cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure – down from 941,652 in 2022.
Heart Health Month Tips for a Stronger Heart
Heart disease affects millions of men and women each year. Fortunately, it’s one of the most preventable health conditions. Small lifestyle changes can go a long way toward strengthening your heart and lowering the risk of heart disease over time. While genetics can play a role, research shows that up to 80 percent of cardiovascular disease may be preventable through education and healthy habits.
By making simple, consistent choices, you can support your heart at every stage of life. Show your heart some love with these five practical tips.
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
A heart-healthy diet consists of whole foods, reduced sodium, and healthy fats. How does this look? Plenty of colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts, plant-based proteins, lean animal proteins, skinless poultry, fish, and seafood. Read nutrition labels to pick the food with the lowest levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The DASH eating plan was named “Best Heart-Healthy Diet” and “Best Diet for High Blood Pressure” by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.
Stay Physically Activee
Staying physically active is easier than you think. At its core, being physically active is more about movement than intensity. Regular movement helps strengthen the heart and improve circulation. For example, walking, stretching, gardening, or light strength exercises can support heart health. Focusing on consistency rather than intensity makes physical activity more sustainable and accessible, helping you build habits that support long-term heart health.
Manage Stress and Improve Sleep
Poor sleep and chronic stress can take a toll over time, especially on heart health. High stress levels can raise blood pressure and inflammation, while not enough sleep can disrupt heart rhythm and overall cardiovascular health. However, there are simple strategies that can help in both areas. To alleviate stress, incorporate daily relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or short walks. To improve sleep health, establish a regular sleep schedule and include a calming routine before bed. Also, limit screen time before bed, especially while in bed.
Know Your Heart Health Numbers
One reason adults are encouraged to have regular physical check-ups is to monitor essential heart health numbers. The key heart health metrics to monitor are blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight (BMI). Understanding and monitoring these numbers can help you and your healthcare provider assess your heart’s health and identify steps to make life-changing improvements.
Heart Health Awareness Month Activities and Ideas
Heart health affects everyone, and it becomes especially important to pay attention to as we age. February’s Heart Health Month offers a perfect opportunity not only to check in on your own heart health but also to raise awareness and encourage healthy habits among family, friends, and your community. Here are some ideas for observing and amplifying Heart Health Month, whether individually, in schools or workplaces, or through social media.
Heart Health Month Activities for Individuals
National Heart Health Month is a great time to check in and evaluate your lifestyle. Pinpoint where improvements can be made, and set small, achievable daily goals, such as walking 30 minutes or trying a new heart-healthy recipe. It can be helpful to track your sleep, stress levels, or activity to stay mindful of your habits. Also, plan a “heart check-in” by scheduling regular checkups or learning your key health numbers.
Heart Health Awareness Activities for Schools and Workplaces
Getting involved is a great way to raise awareness, share heart health month facts, and encourage heart health conversations. Start by exploring the heart health activities already happening at your school, workplace, or community during February. If opportunities are limited, consider taking the lead by organizing simple educational events, workshops, or wellness webinars that highlight the importance of heart health awareness and prevention.
You can also encourage participation through fun, inclusive activities. For example, friendly wellness challenges, such as step count goals or heart-healthy recipe swaps, help people engage without pressure. Also, hosting a “Dress in Red” day is another easy way to show support and spark conversation about Heart Health Month.
Community and Social Media Awareness Ideas
Spreading the word about Heart Health Month on social media is a great way to get involved. Whether you choose to share a personal story or facts about heart disease, social sharing brings the subject to light and prompts others to share. This can begin as simple as posting “Happy Heart Health Month” with links to informational websites, such as The Heart Foundation or The American Heart Association.
Heart Health Month Images, Posters, and Shareable Resources
Engaging visual resources can play a powerful role in spreading awareness. Many organizations dedicated to promoting heart health offer ready-made materials that make it easy to share accurate information with your community and across social media. From educational posters to eye-catching social graphics, you can find heart health images from trusted sources like the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or the CDC’s Heart Month page. When sharing online, using hashtags like #HeartMonth can help your message reach a wider audience and encourage others to join the conversation.
As providers of in-home healthcare for children, KidsCare Home Health understands how essential health awareness is at every stage of life. Heart disease remains one of the leading health concerns in our country, and education plays a powerful role in prevention. This February, we encourage families, caregivers, and communities to help spread awareness and support heart-healthy habits. By coming together to support this important observance, we can help build a healthier future for the children and families we serve. Happy Heart Health Month!
