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.

See the FREAS SharePoint page under Safety for more information on this topic and a list of recently issued safety messages.

Extended Safety Message:

  • 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://www.udel.edu/cprclass
  • Learn where the nearest AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is located in the areas you work. There are currently 100 AED’s on the Newark and STAR campuses.
  • The Wilmington Heart Walk is scheduled for early September each year at the Wilmington 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 redcross.org
  • For more detailed information go to heart.org