It’s Heart Health Month and Wear Red Day!

February 7, 2025 / Get Well

February is Heart Health Month, a time to refocus on the importance of preventing heart disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease is influenced by several key lifestyle factors, including smoking, diet, exercise and weight management. The good news? You have the power to take control of your heart health through small, sustainable lifestyle changes. 

Heart-Smart Choices

✅ Quit Smoking – Smoking damages your blood vessels, increases blood pressure and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Even cutting back reduces heart disease risk. 

✅ Eat Heart-Healthy – A heart-smart diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Add more of these while limiting processed foods and excessive sodium. 

✅ Move More – Physical activity strengthens your heart, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation. Aim for the recommended. Even a 10-minute walk counts! 

✅ Maintain a Healthy Weight – Carrying excess weight, especially around the midsection, increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol—all major contributors to heart disease. Small, daily changes in diet and activity can help with weight management and overall wellness.

This Week:

  • Make One Heart-Smart Choice: Whether it’s choosing water over soda, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, using Timelycare and/or the Employee Health & Wellness Benefits Guide to adjust your smoking habit or adding an extra serving of vegetables to your plate—small changes add up.
  • Thank you for participating in National Wear Red Day! By wearing red, you’re helping raise vital awareness for heart health. Show your continued support by sharing heart health tips like Know Your Heart Numbers with colleagues, friends and family.

Keep an eye out for future Heart Health Daily Flyer messages throughout February.

Get started now, Your Heart Will Thank You Later. 

Illustration promoting February as Heart Health Month. The image features people jogging, cycling, and engaging in physical activities. A large heart-healthy plate filled with vegetables and fruits is displayed. Icons and text encourage heart-smart choices, including quitting smoking, eating heart-healthy foods, moving more, and maintaining a healthy weight. The banner includes the phrase: 'Make a Heart Smart Choice.

—Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO)