(Bethesda, MD, Wednesday, January 30, 2019) – Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in four people in the U.S. dies of heart disease each year. A risk factor for heart disease is sedentary behavior. Just moving around more can help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Small changes, such getting up from your computer and parking further away from your destination, can make a big difference. Start by finding a partner, family, friends, or team committed to supporting each other to be heart healthy. In addition to just moving more throughout the day – it’s important to get enough activity so that your heart is pumping and leaves you a little breathless.

Our Hearts is a national effort to encourage and motivate everyone during American Heart Month to adopt heart-healthy behaviors – together. The effort is being initiated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the nation’s leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders.

Dr. Charlotte Pratt, program director and deputy branch chief at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains the importance of moving.

SOUNDBITE #1:

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT HAVING THE SUPPORT OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND OTHER PERSONAL NETWORKS CAN MAKE GETTING REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, EATING HEALTHY, AND LOSING WEIGHT EASIER. ADULTS SHOULD SPEND AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MINUTES – OR ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS – EACH WEEK DOING ACTIVITY THAT GETS YOUR HEART BEATING FASTER AND LEAVES YOU A LITTLE BREATHLESS. SO, GRAB A FRIEND AND GET MOVING!

 SOUNDBITE #2:

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE OR TOO EARLY TO IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH. ADOPTING SMALL CHANGES, LIKE MOVING MORE, CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. MAKING LONG-LASTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN BE A LOT EASIER WHEN YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY DOING IT WITH YOU.

To learn more, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ourhearts.