American Heart Month - February 2019

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Feb 4, 2019 | Katrina Sorensen, Research Coordinator | @katrinasorensen

All across the country, health care professionals, communities and organizations are taking part in National Heart Month. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease making it the leading cause of death in the United States.

Heart disease can take many forms, from inherited problems such as congenital cardiomyopathies (like long QT syndrome) and channelopathies (like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) to blood vessel diseases and heart infections. A lot of these diseases, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), affect the elderly. However, 5,000 to 10,000 young people will die of sudden cardiac death (SCD) this year alone.

Below, Dr. Michael J. Ackerman, a genetic cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, discusses the three important questions to ask when looking for warning signs of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people.

1. Have you ever fainted suddenly or had a generalized seizure, that occurred without much warning during exercise or when suddenly startled by an auditory trigger?
2. Do you have a family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death that has occurred before age 40?
3. Have you ever had consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath that occurs during exercise?

In the following video, you will learn more about the SCD warning signs and what to do if you or your loved ones answer "yes" to any of the questions above.

We encourage everyone to get involved in the National Heart Month movement. The SADS Foundation provides four easy ways to get involved. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) also provides ways to join the movement, such as #ourhearts which encourages people to engage in heart healthy lifestyles and National Wear Red Day.

The Mayo Clinic Connect page is another great resource to connect and meet others like you. Join the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Connect for inspiration, support and discussions related to your condition.

Join the movement and help us spread the word about American Heart Month!