Black Coaches Association - A planned positive vision of the future.

BCA And American Heart Month

Feb. 14, 2008

President Bush has declared February American Heart Month to raise awareness of the impact of cardiovascular disease and encourage citizens to take steps to help prevent it. In a presidential proclamation signed Friday, Feb. 1st, 2008,  President Bush urged Americans to work toward decreasing their chances of developing heart disease by exercising regularly, following a nutritious diet and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. First Lady Laura Bush echoed that advice during the weekly presidential radio address the next day, asking Americans to begin heart healthy habits. Congress first designated February as American Heart Month more than 40 years ago.

 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives each year. It is also a major cause of disability. Today, millions of Americans live with some form of heart disease.

 

The Black Coaches and Administrators supports the Close the Gap educational initiative sponsored by Boston Scientific. The initiative's goal is to help everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, have access to the highest quality cardiovascular care. The Close the Gap initiative includes a community education component focused on increasing awareness of cardiovascular risk factors through a variety of community programs and events. By increasing awareness of risk factors, more high-risk patients can be identified and helped.

 

Close the Gap community outreach efforts during February include teaming with the BCA and several NCAA member schools to raise awareness of cardiovascular risk factors, focusing on sudden cardiac arrest as the leading cause of death for young, competitive athletes. Every three days, a young athlete dies in the U.S. as a result of sudden cardiac arrest. Most of these deaths are preventable, young athletes at risk for sudden cardiac death can be identified with appropriate screening. Close the Gap and BCA representatives will provide educational materials and talk with basketball fans attending college games at five locations:

 

  • Feb. 5, 2008    Rutgers v U Conn in New Brunswick, NJ (women's)
  • Feb. 16, 2008  Morehouse v Clark in Atlanta, GA (men's)
  • Feb. 20, 2008  Miami v Duke in Miami, FL (men's)
  • Feb. 27, 2008  NC State v Florida State in Raleigh, NC (men's)
  • March 1, 2008 U of MN v Ohio State in Minneapolis, MN (men's)

 

If you are interested in learning more about Close the Gap, cardiovascular risk factors and/or the threat of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, visit www.heart-health-disparities.org.

 

Though February is officially American Heart Month, our efforts to help everyone gain access to needed cardiovascular care continues year round. Please join the battle this year to recognize and fight heart disease in your workplace, home and community. You can make a difference.