February: American Heart Month 

Photo at Roanoke Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative meeting Roanoke residents and staff from the Roanoke City and Allegheny Health Department after a Roanoke Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative meeting.

February is American Heart Month, and as we continue into 2025, it is a good time to consider healthy habits.  Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Virginia. VDH and its partners encourage you to make a few simple changes to your daily routine. Simple health changes can help you reduce the risk of heart disease.

  • Choose healthy meals and snacks. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet and choose foods lower in sodium and saturated fat. Try heart healthy recipes from the American Heart Association and check out the MyPlate resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Make physical activity a regular part of your day. Adults should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, running, bicycling a week. Learn more about ways to increase your physical activity throughout the day on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) physical activity page.
  • Take steps to quit smoking by contacting Richmond and Henrico Health District “Free From Tobacco” program on the web or by calling (804) 482-8018. The Virginia Department of Health also offers Quit Now Virginia, which offers free telephone or web-based counseling services, Text2Quit support, self-help materials and referrals to local resources. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or learn more at the Quit Now Virginia Website.
  • Check your blood pressure. Read more about ways to prevent and manage blood pressure. Here are some helpful tips for talking with a doctor to manage and check your blood pressure.

One program available for the public is the Virginia Healthy Hearts Initiative. This program provides ways to address heart disease in the community. In Roanoke, residents have formed the Roanoke Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative. The collaborative addresses heart health disparities. Organizers elevate the community’s voice by making shared decisions with community members and community health workers. They provide:

  • Peer support
  • Screening and referrals
  • A Healthy Heart Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program