GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Health Commissioner Dr. Alicia Pointer are reminding residents that February is American Heart Month, an appropriate time to learn how to prevent heart disease and stay “heart healthy.”
“Each February, the American Heart Association challenges all of us to learn more about heart disease and its risk factors, and to join its mission to promote a heart-healthy lifestyle,” Neuhaus said. “Heart Month raises an important question that we should all take the time to answer honestly: ‘Am I doing all I can to remain heart healthy?’ It is never too late to make important heart healthy changes and I encourage residents to make that effort.”
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. It is also a leading cause of disability. One person dies from heart disease in this country approximately every 34 seconds.
Dr. Pointer noted that a heart healthy lifestyle includes eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical activity, not smoking or using other forms of tobacco, and limiting alcohol use.
“Heart disease is one of the leading causes of premature death and a significant cause of disability in Orange County, but for many people, heart disease is preventable,” Dr. Pointer said. “Making healthy choices and staying up to date with regular medical care can help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Environment also plays a role in heart disease, and during National Heart Month, we continue our work to help create healthy schools, workplaces, and communities.”
