Heart Health & Happiness

February is the well-known month of keeping your heart happy. Not only do we celebrate Valentine’s day on the 14th, but the entire month is dedicated to creating awareness for heart and stroke heath. In Canada, alongside Black History Month, February is recognized as Heart Month. We use this time to recognize the importance of heart health and ways to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Across Canada, there are a number of different organizations that host events in hopes of raising awareness of cardiovascular disease. In the past, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has held events in Ottawa on February 14 to promote healthy eating for a healthy heart. Other organizations such as the Women’s Heart Health Centre encourage people across Canada to wear Red on February 13 to raise awareness of women’s heart health. 

Heart Disease affects over 2 million Canadians a year and it is extremely important to pay attention to the warning signs of potential heart problems, keep active and eat a healthy diet to keep your heart happy! 

Ways to Support Heart Health

♡ Donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 

♡ Learn First Aid and CPR 

♡ Don’t smoke or vape 

♡ Eat healthy (Check out some recipes for Healthy Eating on Heartandstroke.ca) 

♡ Exercise regularly 

♡ Encourage Kids to participate in their school’s Jump Rope for Heart Campaign

♡ Talk to your doctor about your risk factors 

♡ Wear your support! (Heart and Stroke sell shirts, sweaters, and masks to raise awareness) 

♡ Learn the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke (they are different for men and women!) 

This year on February 13, I encourage you all to wear red in awareness of women’s heart health and to consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 

You can learn more about heart health and donate at heartandstroke.ca or https://cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca