February is American Heart Month. For over 2 years, I worked at the American Heart Association and February would've been the busy month of the year. Cardiovascular Disease is still close to my heart (pun intended) so I thought I'd help spread awareness of it's far-reaching and deep-impacting in the whole world today. I got these facts from the World Health Organization:
•CVD made up 16.7 million, or 29.2% of total global deaths according to World Health Report 2003.
•Around 80% of CVD deaths took place in low and middle-income countries.
•By 2010, CVD will be the leading cause of death in developing countries.
•At least 20 million people survive heart attacks and strokes every year; many require continuing costly clinical care.
•Heart disease has no geographic, gender or socio-economic boundaries.
An estimated 16.7 million - or 29.2% of total global deaths - result from the various forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), many of which are preventable by action on the major primary risk factors: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. More than 50% of the deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes, which together kill more than 12 million people each year, can be cut by a combination of simple, cost-effective national efforts and individual actions to reduce major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking.
So, this month and throughout your life, be sure to have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and stop (or never start) smoking. Your ability to change the world depends on your health.
Share your concern for loved ones who may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Tell them how much you love them and desire to keep them around for much, much longer.
To your health and the health of your loved ones!
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