HEART HEALTH FACT #28

Death from heart disease fell 38% from 2003-2013, prompting a leading heart expert to predict it may soon stop being the leading cause of death in America. 

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

HEART HEALTH FACT #27

Your heart pumps 1 million barrels of blood in an average lifetime.  That's enough blood to fill more than 1,500 Olympic sized swimming pools! 



[George Washington University Heart and Vascular Institute]

HEART HEALTH FACT #26

Studies have found yoga is effective in slowing down your heart rate, which can help lower your blood pressure. 

[American Heart Association]

HEART HEALTH FACT #24

It seems you really can die of a broken heart.  Studies suggest sad news or events may increase the risk of heart attacks. 

[American Heart Association]

HEART HEALTH FACT #22

Suspect a heart attack?  Stay out of the care and call 911.  An ambulance is the fastest, safest option for help.  [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute]

HEART HEALTH FACT #20

Your heart pumps blood to 75 TRILLION cells throughout your body.  Almost everywhere ... except your corneas.  [Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Science]

HEART HEALTH FACT #17

An adult heart pumps more than a gallon of blood per minute- enough to fill 38,000 drinking glasses each day!  [Cleveland Clinic]

HEART HEALTH FACT #16

Happy birthday, EKG!  This vital medical instrument was invented 114 years ago and revolutionized the way in which heart problems are detected.  [Cleveland Clinic]

HEART HEALTH FACT #14

Your heart looks nothing like a Valentine heart.  This powerhouse organ is actually shaped more like an upside-down pear.  [Cleveland Clinic]

HEART HEALTH FACT #12

Healthy heart, health mind.  Good heart health when you're young may increase your chances of staying mentally sharp as you age.  [American Heart Association]

HEART HEALTH FACT #9

The No. 1 killer of women in America is heart disease.  It's more deadly each year than all forms of cancer combined.  Some 43 million American women have heart disease, although females comprise only 24 percent of all heart-related study participants.  [American Heart Association]

HEART HEALTH FACT #7

About 1 in every 6 U.S. healthcare dollars is spent on cardiovascular disease each year.  It's the most costly condition in America.  When you factor in lost productivity, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates heart disease and stroke costs our country more than $320 billion a year.  [Centers for Disease control and Prevention]

HEART HEALTH FACT #6

Did you know that an octopus has three hearts but a jellyfish doesn't have a heart at all?  Two of the hearts in an octopus pump blood (it happens to be the color blue) to the gills, while the third circulates it throughout the rest of the body. [NOAA]

HEART HEALTH FACT #4

A woman's heart typically beats faster than a man's.  On average, a woman's heart beats 78 times per minute while the average man's beats 70 times.  [Chilnick, Lawrence. 2008. Heart Disease:  An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. Philadelphia, PA: Perseus Books Group.]

HEART HEALTH FACT #3

Each year 735,000 Americans have a heart attack.  Knowing the warning signs increase your chances of survival.

Sadly, only 27% of people can identify all the major symptoms of a heart attack and know to call 911 immediately when they occur.  Immediate action saves lives!  According to the CDC, the major signs of a heart attack are:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]