February is more than just a month of valentines—it’s a month dedicated to raising awareness about heart health in the United States. American Heart Month officially began in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that brought awareness to heart disease, but the history of heart health dates back much further.
From Fear of Heart Disease to Hope
In 1921, heart disease became America’s leading cause of death and was typically viewed as a certain prognosis of death. However, six determined doctors refused this fate and founded the American Heart Association (AHA) in 1924. They were determined to find ways to understand, treat, and prevent heart disease through research and collaboration.
In the late 1940s, raising awareness became a major priority for the AHA. While the AHA had some success, President Dwight Eisenhower’s heart attack in 1955 brought unprecedented national attention to cardiovascular health. At the time the concept of “risk factors” didn’t exist. Heart attacks “came out of nowhere” and the estimated death rate was 40%. His care, by today’s standards, was slow and ineffective.
President Eisenhower instructed his press secretary and physician, Dr. Paul White to “tell them everything.” White capitalized on the opportunity to share with the American public steps they could take to reduce their risk and how heart attacks could be related to diet, exercise, alcohol, and tobacco. It was a major step towards overcoming the fear that a heart attack was a death sentence.
With strong advocacy from the AHA, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed February as American Heart Month on February 16, 1964. This wasn’t merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic initiative to combat what had become a national health emergency.
With Awareness Comes Research and Innovation
Since 1950, death rates from cardiovascular disease began to decline. Major innovations included:
- The first successful coronary bypass surgery in 1967
- Development of cholesterol-lowering statins in the 1970s
- Introduction of advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques including electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, cardiac computed tomography (CT), and blood tests in the 1980s
A National Movement for Public Health
Heart disease remains a critical health challenge with over 950,000 Americans dying from cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is still the #1 cause of death for men and women. Awareness of symptoms is critical as every one-minute delay in defibrillation can reduce the chance of survival by 10%.
The AHA continues to be a driving force behind the month’s initiatives, developing educational programs, funding research, and creating public awareness campaigns that reach millions of Americans each year.
The first Friday of each February is National Wear Red Day which raises awareness and support for heart disease. The goals of American Heart Month include:
- Helping the public understand heart health risk factors, including smoking and stress
- Driving awareness for heart-healthy lifestyle choices
- Raising funds for cardiovascular research
- Supporting preventative health strategies and early detection methods
Modern Advances for Proactive Heart Health
Today, American Heart Month continues to evolve. With rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and increased stress levels, the mission remains as crucial as ever. New drugs such as GLP-1s show promise for reducing heart attack and stroke in addition to helping patients lose weight and control their blood sugar levels.
New care programs, including remote patient monitoring and chronic care management, can transform heart care from reactive to proactive.
Embracing Heart Health
Beyond medical achievements, American Heart Month has fundamentally changed how Americans perceive heart health. While heart disease was once considered an inevitable consequence of aging, we now know it is a preventable and manageable condition.
Each February, we are reminded that heart health is not a passive experience but an active, ongoing commitment to living healthy. Optimize wants to support all practices and patients who want to take a proactive approach to heart health. Contact us to learn more about how RPM supports heart health.