February is Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the
United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news is that heart
disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their overall health.
• The American Heart Association (AHA) says that nearly half of all U.S. adults have some type of
cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Cardiovascular disease includes conditions that affect the structures or function of your heart.
• CVD’s includes coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, heart
failure and high cholesterol/triglycerides.
• Symptoms of CVD like coronary artery disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart
palpitations, general weakness, and nausea.
• To help prevent heart disease, the AHA recommends that we stop smoking, eat healthier,
exercise, reduce stress and get your cholesterol and blood sugar levels under control.
• For every 2 pounds of weight dropped, your blood pressure will be lowered by 1 point.
• 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day will drop your blood pressure 10 points.
• Doctors recommend a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night.
• Consider going on a DASH-diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) which has proven to
better control hypertension. This plan emphasizes portion sizes, eating a variety of foods and
getting the right amount of nutrients every day.
• The AHA has set the new high blood pressure (hypertension) threshold at 130/80.
• Heart Saver CPR/AED classes are sponsored by EHS in the General Services Building on Saturday
mornings and Tuesday evenings each month at minimal cost ($40.00). See this link to register
http://www1.udel.edu/ehs/training/cpr-class-registration.html
• Learn where the nearest AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is located in the areas you
work. There are currently 120 AED’s on the Newark and STAR campuses.
• The Wilmington Heart Walk is scheduled for September 8th at 9AM on Shipyard Drive at the
Riverfront complex.
• By participating in the Heart Walk, you’ll be joining a million Heart Walk Heroes from across the
nation raising funds for lifesaving science.
• Make a difference in your community by spreading the word about strategies for preventing
heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.
• To support your local Red Cross please go to www.redcross.org
• For more detailed information go to www.heart.org