February marks American Heart Month, focusing on heart health awareness and preventive measures. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments encourage residents to prioritize heart health by understanding risks linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the U.S. RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion, emphasizes that many CVD fatalities could be avoided with healthier lifestyle choices. This month, she’s been engaging with local schoolchildren, providing education on heart-healthy habits such as daily exercise, balanced diets, and sufficient sleep. To learn more about available health education programs, contact the Health Department at (309) 852-0197.
RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Health Departments said, “Cardiovascular disease (CVD)—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is the number 1 killer of women and men in the United States. Truth is many CVD deaths could have been prevented through healthier habits.”
The participating classes watched entertaining video shorts and conducted activities that illustrated how the heart works and the importance of keeping it healthy by:
- Exercising Daily
- Eating Healthy Foods
- Getting A Full Night’s Sleep
- Regularly Visiting Your Healthcare Provider
- Drinking Your Water
- And Staying Positive, Kind & Happy