Eastside Medical Center Celebrates Heart Month

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? In honor of the month, Eastside Medical Center staff choreographed and performed a lighthearted dance to OneRepublic's "Feel Again." 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year, or one out of every four deaths. It's the leading cause of death for both men and women. 

Coronary heart disease - also called coronary artery disease - is the most common type of heart disease in the U.S. It occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries, according to the CDC. This can cause heart attacks, angina, heart failure and arrhythmias. 

According to the American Heart Association, heart attacks occur when "the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or completely cut off." 

The CDC offers the following tips to minimize the chance of having a heart attack:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Don't smoke
• Limit alcohol use
• Have your cholesterol checked
• Manage your blood sugar

You can also visit the American Heart Association's website for tips on staying heart healthy.