February is American Heart Month, an annual event that is an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends, and communities involved. There are lots of things you can do to help your heart, like eating lots of fruits and vegetables, working out, and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked on a regular basis. Want another tip to a healthy heart? Don’t use tobacco products and quit if you currently are using tobacco products.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Hoosiers, and over 13,700 Hoosiers died of heart disease in 2013. Chances are, we all know someone affected by heart disease and stroke. According to the 2014 U.S. Surgeon General’s report, about 24 percent of coronary heart disease deaths among U.S. adults age 35 and older are due to smoking, and about 34,000 heart disease deaths nationwide are due to secondhand smoke.
The first piece of good news is that it’s never too late to quit smoking! The second piece of good news is that free help is available here in Indiana. If you use tobacco products and are ready to quit, you can get free assistance from the Indiana Tobacco Quit Line at 1- 800-QUIT NOW or visit QuitNowIndiana.com for more information. Healthy Communities also offers cessation assistance for those who would like one-on-one counseling. For more information call 765-659-6063 or visit the Healthy Communities of Clinton County Facebook page.