Have a Heart, Do Your Part: Celebrating American Heart Month

Ishani Agrawal, 10th grade

1/30/2026

February 1st marks the start of the annual observance of American Heart Month. Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in December 1963, this month aims to raise awareness about heart conditions and support individuals with heart disease. President Johnson urged Americans to become more active participants in their heart health instead of staying on the sideline and to heed warnings about potential dangers to their cardiovascular health. Dozens of organizations put together events to educate, raise donations, and create detailed social media campaigns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts® use the hashtag #HeartMonth on social media as part of their American Heart Month campaigns.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.,” warns the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). For that reason, the NHLBI uses their educational program The Heart Truth® to motivate Americans to invest more time and effort into their heart health. For example, The Heart of Truth® promotes the importance of protecting your heart, practicing self-care habits that then positively increase heart longevity, and getting to know more about your heart and related systems by learning about your cholesterol, blood pressure, and family history regarding heart disease.

Along with American Heart Month is National Wear Red Day, this year taking place on February 6. National Wear Red day also focuses on heart disease awareness, and it has a particular focus on women’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, so many organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) take this day to specifically spread resources about women’s cardiovascular health.

Listed below are manageable, low-stakes ways to get involved with American Heart Month events:

1. Volunteer

The American Heart Association (AHA) is always happy to host volunteers eager to help out, especially in February. They support dozens of different volunteer jobs, from fundraising via cycling campaigns to supporting patients, caregivers, and survivors.

2. Donate or host a fundraising event

Many heart-health related organizations, including the AHA and The Heart Foundation, make it super easy to host your own fundraising event, one that is tailored to your needs. Fundraising could also be low-commitment if that fits in better, such as a one-time donation.

3. Learn CPR

The AHA encourages individuals to learn and familiarize themselves with CPR, as this is a lifesaving procedure. Taking a CPR class helps you stay prepared, and taking a CPR course through the AHA allows you to join the “Nation of Lifesavers”!

4.  Wear red

Wearing red is one of the easiest ways to raise awareness about American Heart Month. Get further involved by posting on social media with tags such as #OurHearts, #WearRedDay,

and #HeartMonth, to name a few!

Works Cited

“American Heart Month Communications Toolkit | Heart Disease.” CDC, 30 December 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/php/heart-month/index.html. Accessed 27 January 2026.

“American Heart Month | NHLBI, NIH.” nhlbi, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/american-heart-month. Accessed 27 January 2026.

Harold, John Gordon. “The Evolution of American Heart Month.” American College of Cardiology, Cardiology Magazine, 23 February 2017, https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/02/21/12/42/the-evolution-of-american-heart-month.

“Wear Red and Give | Go Red for Women.” Go Red for Women, https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/get-involved/give/wear-red-and-give. Accessed 27 January 2026.