February is American Heart Month, and is sponsored by the American Heart Association. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women is heart disease. Heart disease causes one in every four deaths every year in the United States.
American Heart Month
The national observance of American Heart Month helps to raise awareness that heart disease can frequently be prevented. Individuals managing their health conditions and making healthy choices can go far in heart disease prevention.
Community involvement in making a difference by spreading the word, and raising awareness of heart disease prevention strategies is encouraged as a vital part of American Heart Month observance. Healthcare professionals, families and individuals are encouraged to work together on creating healthier-choice opportunities for people.
American Heart Month is a time set-aside for the express purpose of raising heart disease awareness, and how to prevent it at home—and in the community. Some participation and contribution ideas suggested by Healthfinder.gov include:
- Encouraging families to make small life-style changes which contribute to better heart health
- Motivating and encouraging administrators and teachers to include physical activity as an important part of the school day
- Requesting healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses to take a leadership role in their communities by speaking out on heart disease prevention, and ways it can be prevented
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages people to support the national movement by the American Heart Association to create healthier communities, and help others lead healthier lives.
Narconon Arrowhead in Support of American Heart Month
Narconon Arrowhead, the Oklahoma-based residential drug rehabilitation and education center observes American Heart Month by raising awareness on heart health and addiction, helping other to made informed and better health choices.
According to HealthFinder.gov, healthy changes in lifestyle can lower the risk of developing heart disease by:
- Quitting smoking
- Staying away from second-hand smoke
- Drinking alcohol only in moderation (if you drink at all)
- Getting active and eating healthy
- Watching your weight
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), research has linked drug abuse to adverse cardiovascular (involving the heart and blood vessels) effects. Adverse effects range from an abnormal heart rate all the way to heart attacks. Research has found that injection drug use is capable of leading to other cardiovascular problems, including bacterial infections of the heart valves and blood vessels, as well as collapsed veins.
The cardiovascular system can be affected by the following drugs, according to NIDA:
- Nicotine use increases heart rate, heart output, oxygen use by the heart muscle, and blood pressure.
- Marijuana use increases heart rate.
- Prescription Stimulants, especially in high doses, can result in an irregular heartbeat. There is also the potential for cardiovascular failure.
- LSD abuse may cause heart attacks and stroke.
- Heroin and its long-term injection use can cause infection is the heart valves and heart lining.
- Cocaine abuse can cause disturbances in heart rhythm, and heart attacks. Deaths related to cocaine abuse often result from cardiac arrest.
- Ketamine abuse can result in increased heart rate, and heart failure.
- Inhalants abuse can increase heart rate.
- Methamphetamine use can cause cardiovascular problems which include irregular heartbeat, rapid heart rate, and blood pressure increase.
- MDMA abuse can increase the risk of cardiac valve disease.
- PCP abuse can cause heart or lung failure.
- Steroid abuse can cause high blood pressure, enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart, and heart attacks.
Raising awareness of heart health risks associated with drug use and abuse is a vital part of heart health and addiction recovery.
