Congress Declares February American Heart Month—But Here's Why the Real Work Happens Year-Round

Congress has officially designated February 2026 as American Heart Month, marking a bipartisan effort to combat cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), co-chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, championed the resolution to raise awareness about heart disease, stroke, and related conditions that claim nearly 916,000 American lives annually.

While the designation highlights the government's commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease through research and improved access to care, health experts emphasize that meaningful prevention requires sustained effort throughout the year—not just during February. The resolution comes at a critical time, as cardiovascular disease rates have been climbing faster than anticipated, with particular impacts on women and communities of color.

Why Is Heart Disease Accelerating in the U.S.?

The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed significantly to rising cardiovascular disease rates, according to the Congressional resolution. Beyond the pandemic, several interconnected risk factors are driving the crisis. High blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are increasing across nearly every age group and racial demographic, creating a perfect storm for future heart disease cases.

The American Heart Association's latest projections paint a sobering picture. If current trends continue, high blood pressure in adult women will increase from 48.6% in 2020 to 59.1% by 2050. Diabetes rates may jump from 14.9% to 25.3%, and obesity from 43.9% to 61.2%. As these risk factors climb, total cardiovascular disease and stroke in women could rise from 10.7% to 14.4%.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Rising Heart Disease Risk?

While heart disease has traditionally been viewed as a condition affecting older adults, the data reveal a troubling shift. The greatest future increases in stroke and total cardiovascular disease are expected among younger women, meaning prevention must begin early in life. Even girls between ages 2 and 19 are at risk, with obesity projected to rise from 19.6% in 2020 to 32.0% by 2050.

Certain populations face disproportionate risk. Black women and American Indian or Alaska Native women experience higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Black women also face elevated rates of stroke and heart failure compared to other groups. Social factors amplify these disparities—women living in poverty, with low literacy levels, in rural areas, or experiencing chronic stress face compounded cardiovascular risk.

Additionally, women's unique biological factors influence heart disease risk. Early menstrual periods before age 12 link to higher future heart risk. Irregular menstrual cycles in teenage years and young adulthood also connect with greater heart disease risk later in life, suggesting doctors should include menstrual history as part of heart-risk assessments.

Steps to Protect Your Cardiovascular Health

The American Heart Association promotes a comprehensive approach called Life's Essential 8 to protect heart health across the lifespan. These evidence-based strategies address the major modifiable risk factors driving cardiovascular disease:

• Healthy Eating: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports cholesterol and blood pressure management.
• Regular Exercise: Physical activity strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and helps maintain a healthy weight—all critical for reducing cardiovascular risk.
• Quality Sleep: Getting adequate rest supports heart health and helps regulate blood pressure, weight, and metabolic function.
• Tobacco Avoidance: Smoking damages blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on the heart and lowers the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other cardiovascular conditions.
• Cholesterol Control: Keeping low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the "bad" cholesterol that builds up in arteries—in a healthy range is essential for preventing heart disease.
• Blood Sugar Management: Controlling blood glucose levels prevents diabetes, a major cardiovascular risk factor.
• Blood Pressure Management: Keeping blood pressure in a healthy range (below 130/80 millimeters of mercury) reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The good news: prevention works. Research shows that even a 10% reduction in major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity could reduce heart disease and stroke events by up to 23%. This means meaningful change is possible with focused effort.

What Role Does Care Access Play in Heart Health?

Beyond individual lifestyle choices, access to quality healthcare significantly impacts cardiovascular outcomes. Women are more likely than men to delay medical care because of cost, and this disparity contributes to worse health outcomes. Additionally, women with heart attacks are less likely to receive certain life-saving procedures compared with men, and women with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat condition) often receive less treatment such as blood thinners despite having higher stroke risk.

\"Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women and remains their number one health risk overall,\" explains Dr. Stacey E. Rosen. \"While many people may think these conditions like high blood pressure are only occurring in older women, we know this is not the case. We know the factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke begin early in life, even among young women and girls.\"

The Congressional designation of American Heart Month underscores the need for sustained investment in cardiovascular research and improved access to affordable, quality care. However, experts stress that the real work of preventing heart disease happens throughout the year—through early screening, lifestyle modifications, and addressing the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Strong prevention programs, better access to care, and early action at every stage of life can change the trajectory of cardiovascular disease in America.