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Our team at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation takes heart health seriously. For 41 years, we’ve remained steadfast in leading the way for cardiovascular research and education in America, but February is special as we pay tribute to what it means, and what it takes to keep hearts beating strong through celebrating Heart Month.

If you or a loved one has suffered from heart disease, you know the pain it causes.

• Often used interchangeably, a “Heart Attack” and “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” are two different things.
• A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked, whereas in sudden cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical disturbance.
• In the U.S., someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds and a cardiac arrest every 90 seconds.
• This translates to around 800,000 heart attacks every year (of these around 600,000 are first heart attacks), and 356,000 cardiac arrests every year.
• Interested in learning more heart health facts? Take our heart valve disease quiz!

Next, how you can celebrate the month?

1. Proudly participate in National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 3: Raise awareness by sharing a photo on social media with #WearRedDay.
    
2. Join us in raising awareness for heart valve disease on February 18. MHIF will host The Ins and Outs of a Healthy Heart, a free education event discussing the latest in heart valve disease research and treatments. Register and learn more. Or join us for the online webinar on February 22!
    
3. Join a focus group with Jerad Green, patient with the Minneapolis Heart Institute© and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, on February 20 to learn about plans to create a Black Heart Failure Support Group. We are prioritizing Black people who have heart failure but want to hear from those at high risk or friends and loved ones of those with heart failure as well. Register and learn more.
    
4. Listen in to a heart-healthy conversation piece from Minnesota Public Radio, featuring Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler, Medical Director of Health Equity and Health Promotion at MHIF, to learn more and feel empowered about your heart health and wellness this month. Read and listen.
    
5. Join the Listen to Your Heart Challenge and seek out a basic heart screening at your next doctor’s visit. Share a picture on social media to show your loves ones you took the challenge and use #ListentoYourHeart and #ValveDiseaseDay in your posts.
    
6. Rock from the Heart has two events in Minneapolis on February 24-25. Join the Aortic Health Symposium on February 24th at the Loews Minneapolis Hotel, featuring several MHIF physician partners and board members. Or attend Rock From The Heart Feat Rick Springfield concert on the 25th. Get tickets here.

But heart health awareness doesn’t stop there.

Many people will become more familiar with heart disease this month, but it’s important to not forget the lessons we learn. Stay connected to your resources: your family, your healthcare providers and our team at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. If you’re interested in some additional heartwarming inspiration, see the patient stories we celebrate – they are at the heart of the MHIF mission!

We’re excited to share more opportunities for engaging in the latest and greatest in heart disease research and education – stay tuned!