While February is American Heart Month, the month that may be better known for candy hearts, but the need for a national heart health awareness month is critical, say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are many people in Charleston, across West Virginia and throughout the country who have been either temporarily or permanently disabled by heart disease. There are over 2 million people who have a heart attack or a stroke each year, leaving many people in rehabilitation and unable to work.

Back in September 2011, the federal government partnered with private groups to lead a new initiative aimed at preventing one million heart attacks. Instead of focusing on providing better care to the people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, the program is designed to target the people who are at risk for heart disease and prevent any serious cardiac episodes.

One of the biggest focuses of the program is the acronym ABCS. The CDC encourages people who may be at risk for a heart attack to ask their doctors whether an aspirin (A) regimen would be appropriate to manage their risk. Everyone should also find out whether their blood pressure (B) or cholesterol (C) levels are high and, if they are, to actively work on lowering them. Finally, it is important that anyone that smokes (S) seek out treatment to quit, as smoking is a huge factor in heart disease.

In addition to the ABCS, the CDC and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services are asking that everyone try to lower their risk for heart disease by participating in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Combining this activity with a lower-sodium diet and eliminating trans fats will make for a healthier lifestyle, say the CDC.

Heart disease is a huge problem in the United States and it has taken its toll on many people throughout West Virginia. While this Hearth Month program is meant to target those who are at risk of heart attack and stroke, there is a large population of West Virginians who have already had at least one cardiac episode and now rely on disability benefits because they are unable to work.

Source: CDC, "Be One in a Million this American Heart Month," Jan. 30, 2012