Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day, working tirelessly to keep you alive. Its importance cannot be overstated. 

Unfortunately, many Americans’ hearts are under threat from our nation’s #1 cause of death: heart disease. One in five of us are expected to die from heart disease, which is especially sad because 80% of heart attacks are preventable with healthy lifestyle changes. 

This American Heart Month, here’s what you need to know about managing your risk against the nation’s most urgent and prevalent health threat. 

Hidden risks of heart disease 

One of the reasons heart disease is so dangerous is that its biggest risk factors—like high blood pressure and high cholesterol—often go unnoticed. 

Referred to as a "silent killer," high blood pressure typically doesn’t present symptoms until it’s too late, like after a heart attack or stroke. Similarly, high cholesterol can quietly narrow arteries over time, increasing risk of severe complications. 

These conditions are more common than you might think:

• Nearly 50% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. 
• 40% of those individuals are unaware of it, leaving them vulnerable to potentially life-threatening situations. 

Because heart disease can fly under the radar, more than half of U.S. adults are not even aware it’s the leading cause of death, according to a 2024 survey by the American Heart Association. This lack of awareness puts us all at risk. 

The good news? Beyond spreading awareness, there are several simple steps you can take to reduce heart disease risk for yourself and others. 

Easy and actionable heart health tips 

Protecting your heart doesn’t require monumental changes. Small, consistent adjustments to your routine can have a profound impact on your overall heart health. Here are a few simple steps you can take:

1. Know your numbers 

Tracking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other heart health-related metrics is one of the most empowering ways to manage your heart health. Monitoring changes can help you identify and address any issues before they become serious problems.

2. Understand your risk 

If you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors, talk to a clinician about what this means for you. They can provide a personalized roadmap to reduce your risk and improve your health. 

3. Listen to your body 

Pay attention to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats. Women, in particular, should be aware that their symptoms might present slightly differently, for instance as nausea, neck pain, or jaw pain. 

4. Move a little more 

You don’t need to hit the gym every day to take care of your heart. Simple habits, like taking the stairs, going for a walk, or stretching during breaks, can add up over time to keep your heart in good shape. 

5. Sign up for Hello Heart

Check your eligibility for resources like Hello Heart, which offers a free blood pressure monitor and app-based coaching to help you understand and manage your heart risk. 

Join the movement for heart health 

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. But that doesn’t have to be the norm. By raising awareness and taking proactive steps, we can all play a role in reducing heart disease risk for ourselves and those we care about. 

Follow along with Hello Heart on Instagram and LinkedIn this month for more tips and resources. 

‍