Matters of the heart: Celebrating healthy heart month
National Wear Red Day is Feb. 7
Feb. 5, 2025
A lot of things focus on the heart.
Passion, love, romance, being heart healthy to run a marathon or canoe across an open Michigan bay.
February is synonymous with matters of the heart, and not simply Valentine’s Day.
Consider these numbers:
- Every year, one in every five deaths in the U.S. is attributed to heart disease.
- The most common—coronary heart disease—kills approximately 375,500 people annually within the U.S.
Across Michigan, heart disease is the leading cause of death, according to the National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH).
As such, February is designated as a time to call attention to the physical wellbeing of the heart.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease encompasses a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. Similarly, cardiovascular disease refers to all types of conditions, such as strokes, which affect the heart or blood vessels.
Echoing that sentiment, the NIH recommends several steps to reduce the risk of heart disease by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle:
- Get enough quality sleep—aim for a minimum of seven hours a night
- Improve eating habits—a flexible and balanced diet can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, leading contributors to heart disease
- Stop smoking—even occasionally
- Increase activity—adults should aim for 150 minutes each week of physical activity
Medicines, medical and exercise equipment come from Line 5
Although its role often goes unnoticed, Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac carries the building blocks to create all sorts of medical equipment, life-saving medicines, and exercise equipment.
“Line 5 is helping in the manufacture of treadmills, weights, bicycles and fitness gear,” said Lauren Brown, Enbridge community engagement advisor.
“While product transported safely each day from Line 5 helps in the manufacture of equipment that can save a life or diagnose heart disease, we also support local first responders because they are on the frontline to help Michiganders.”
“In addition to moving energy, Line 5 plays a vital role in keeping Michiganders healthy, day in, day out. This pipeline is really important.”
—Lauren Brown, Enbridge’s community engagement advisor in northern Michigan
Throughout Michigan, Enbridge donates more than $100,000 each year to support first responders.
“Whether we have contributed automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) for the rigs or donated vehicles, we are grateful to be able to work hand-in-hand with first responders to the betterment of the health and welfare of our communities,” said Brown.
“This goes on year-round.”
Focus on improving your health
“Since we’re in the month of February, physicians and health coaches say using prevention measures are the best options for staying healthy, meaning a regular checkup and getting some form of exercise like walking, running or swimming,” offered Brown.
To heighten awareness about women’s heart health, National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
Find more resources about heart health.
