JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department joins the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Tennessee Department of Health in
recognizing February as American Heart Month.

Heart disease is the number one killer in Tennessee, according to the CDC. Heart disease is
the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in
the United States. About 659,000 Americans die from heart disease each year – that’s one in
every four deaths, according to the CDC.

Several health conditions, lifestyle, age, and family history can increase your risk for heart
disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart
disease. About half of Americans (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors,
according to CDC.

Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at higher risk for
heart disease, including:
• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use, illegal drug use
We encourage people to make healthy changes to lower their risk of developing heart
disease. To lower your risk:
• Quit nicotine and stay away from secondhand smoke
• Limit salt intake
• Get active
• Get to and maintain a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol and drug use
• Control cholesterol and blood pressure
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day

“This the perfect opportunity to become more proactive about taking care of your heart,”
Health Educator Amanda Johnson said. “Reducing risks and regular doctor visits can help
add days to your years and years to your life.”

Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department employees will participate in National
Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, and encourage other organizations, businesses, and citizens to participate.

Find more information about heart disease at www.cdc.gov/heartdisease.