Daytona Beach, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health in Volusia and the World Heart Federation are proud to celebrate the 18th annual World Heart Day, which raises awareness of cardiovascular disease and prevention. World Heart Day will be celebrated September 29. The theme is "Share the Power," which emphasizes that the key to a healthy heart is to "know your heart, fuel your heart, move your heart, and love your heart.¹"

"Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death in Volusia County," said Patricia Boswell, DOH-Volusia administrator. "For the most part, this is a disease that can be controlled - if not prevented - by creating environments and opportunities to allow individuals to lead a healthy life. Heart disease prevention is a priority for not only the Department of Health but also for our community partners."

Volusia County is not alone. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, also are the leading cause of death in the United States and Florida.^2,3 Each year, one in four Americans and one in three Floridians die from cardiovascular disease. ^2,3 About half of all Americans have at least one of these three risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.³ All Americans are at risk for cardiovascular disease, but the non-Hispanic black community, particularly those in the southeastern United States, have a greater risk. Nearly 44 percent of African American men and 48 percent of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease.⁴

Boswell added that it is important to remember that with cardiovascular health, many factors that cause an early death can be controlled through lifestyle changes. Each day strive to protect your heart and the hearts of those you love. The Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone to take the initiative to keep your heart charged and "share the power" to make a lasting difference in the health of your community.

On World Heart Day, DOH suggests improving health through lifestyle changes including:

• walks with family and encouraging friends to walk join the walk

• doctor visits to talk about heart health;

• healthy eating by cooking heart healthy meals

• quit smoking by using Tobacco Free Florida's Quit Your Way Program.

These actions can contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes throughout Florida. Visit www.worldheartday.org to find out what you can do to take part in this year’s World Heart Day, as well as www.floridahealth.gov/stroke and www.flhealth.gov/heart to learn more about stroke and heart attack resources.

Be sure to view our toolkit for information, resources and guidance to support your World Heart Day activities.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Data Sources:

1. World Heart Day (2017). About Cardiovascular Disease. Retrieved from https://www.worldheartday.org/what-is-cvd

2. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2015). Heart disease and Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/heart-disease-and-stroke

3. Florida Department of Health (2015). Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/heart-disease/index.html

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. African Americans Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_aa.htm

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). World Heart Day. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/Features/WorldHeartDay/