February is Heart Health Month — a time to raise awareness about heart disease and the many factors that influence cardiovascular health.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA)’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. While medical advances have helped more people live longer with heart disease, many contributing risk factors — including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity — continue to rise. Heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year than cancer and accidental injuries combined.
While heart health is often discussed in terms of physical risk factors, growing evidence shows that mental well-being, stress, lifestyle, and access to coordinated care play a significant role in long-term outcomes.
A whole-person approach to heart health
At Vaya Health, heart health is approached through a whole-person lens — recognizing how physical health, behavioral health, and social factors intersect. This perspective is especially important for individuals with complex medical needs, where prevention, stability, and ongoing support are just as critical as treatment.
Heart health is not shaped by a single appointment or diagnosis. It is influenced by daily stress, access to supportive services, mental well-being, and the ability to manage chronic conditions over time. When care is coordinated and focused on the whole person, individuals are better positioned to protect both their heart and their overall health.
Prevention is key
Chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma can place sustained strain on the body and the heart. Over time, unmanaged stress may contribute to high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, inflammation, unhealthy coping behaviors, and difficulty managing existing conditions.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, untreated sleep apnea, limited physical activity, and chronic stress can further increase cardiovascular risk. The good news is that prevention-focused changes can significantly reduce that risk.
Evidence-based lifestyle modifications — including regular physical activity, smoking cessation, stress management, and heart-healthy eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet — can support cardiovascular health and reduce the likelihood of serious complications. Even small, consistent steps can have a meaningful impact over time.
Small steps to reduce daily stress
Reducing daily stress is one of the most effective ways to support heart health. While chronic stress is not always visible, its effects can accumulate, influencing blood pressure, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
Simple strategies such as brief mindfulness practices, intentional breathing, or short “60-second” stress-reset techniques can help interrupt stress responses and support emotional regulation. When practiced regularly, these small pauses can contribute to healthier routines and improved heart health.
60-second stress-reset techniques
- Box breathing (4–4–4–4): Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold for four seconds. Repeat for one minute.
- 4–7–8 breathing: Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, then exhale for eight seconds. Repeat for one minute.
- Progressive muscle release: Tense and release muscle groups such as shoulders, jaw, or hands. Hold tension for 3–5 seconds, then release. Repeat for one minute.
- Grounding (5–4–3–2–1): Identify five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
- Mini gratitude reset: Think of one thing you’re grateful for, name it aloud or silently, and take one slow breath.
For more guidance, visit the AHA’s stress management resources at Stress Management | American Heart Association.
Wear red day
Heart Health Month also offers opportunities to act collectively. National Wear Red Day (Friday, Feb. 6), part of the American Heart Association’s Wear Red and Give initiative, raises awareness of women’s cardiovascular health.
The initiative encourages individuals and organizations to wear red, share information, and give in support of lifesaving research, education, community programs, and stronger public health policies.
Supporting health beyond the doctor’s office
Protecting the heart extends beyond medical treatment alone. It requires attention to stress, mental health, lifestyle, and the systems that support individuals in their daily lives.
By integrating physical health interventions with behavioral health support, prevention strategies, and community-based services, Vaya Health advances a holistic care model that helps individuals reduce risk and maintain stability over time. Coordinated, whole-person care creates stronger pathways to better health and improved quality of life.
Learn more and take action
Heart Health Month is a reminder that small steps can make a meaningful difference. Learn more about heart-healthy habits and stress management tools by visiting the American Heart Association’s stress management resources.
If you or someone you care for could benefit from coordinated physical and behavioral health support, learn how Vaya Health connects individuals to services that support long-term health and stability.
