Amongst many other important things going on in February (Black History, Valentine’s Day, National Pizza Day) having a healthy heart should rank high on your list and hopefully higher than National Pizza Day.

A survey revealed that most of the students at Bob Jones aren’t even aware it’s Happy Heart Month. Eva Smith, a freshman that attends Bob Jones, said, “I didn’t even know that that’s a thing. I feel like it’s only necessary to talk about it for one day.” Unfortunately, the reality is that 1 in 4 Americans die of heart disease, according to the CDC, which means people need to be more aware.

Those working in health care plan events to raise awareness. Latasha Mikel, who works at Madison Hospital as a cardiology nurse, said, “I work at a hospital. Of course, I know it’s Happy Heart Month. The hospital is going to do a 5k run.” She shared some of the most common heart issues. “Well, coronary artery disease (the hardening of the arteries), heart failure, mainly. People just need to learn to take better care of themselves; it’s not easy to have a heart failure.”

Faith Martin, who’s also a freshman at Bob Jones and has tetralogy of Fallot (a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth). She said, “Sometimes people don’t understand, that I have a limit when it comes to certain things, like sports. They just think I’m trying to be lazy.” Despite her situation, she’s on the Bob Jones Winterguard. However, she wasn’t even aware of the month to my surprise. 

Thankfully, Bob Jones HOSA students were aware of this month, and they made posters and organized a teacher breakfast with heart-healthy foods to raise awareness. Mrs. Lawson, a Biomed teacher, said, “This was all the students. They did every bit of it themselves.”

Without healthy heart awareness, we wouldn’t know how to prevent conditions. By implementing a proper diet  and exercise at early age, students can live longer and avoid heart disease. This February, be sure your heart is not only happy but healthy.