February is American Heart Month, an ideal opportunity to shine a light on heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person dies every 34 seconds in the U.S. from cardiovascular disease. Nearly 700,000 people in the U.S. died from heart disease in 2020. Heart disease also has a massive economic impact, costing the U.S. about $229 billion each year from 2017 to 2018. This includes the cost of health care services, medicines and lost productivity.

In observance of American Heart Month, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) and its partners are spotlighting free programs and classes to help people manage hypertension and other heart disease risk factors. A key example is the Healthy Hearts Ambassador Program, which helps people with hypertension develop a blood pressure self-monitoring routine. Offered in partnership with YMCA of Southern Nevada, this program also offers nutrition education and tips to maintain cardiovascular health. Classes are free and are being held during February at the Bill and Lillie Heinrich YMCA (4141 Meadows Ln., Las Vegas 89107) and Durango YMCA (3521 N. Durango Dr., Las Vegas 89129). For more information, call (702) 832-4901 or email lacosta@lasvegasymca.org or jjimenez@lasvegasymca.org.

Eating right is also essential to a heart-healthy lifestyle. In partnership with the 100 Black Men of Las Vegas, SNHD is sponsoring a cooking class for young people, ages 7-18, to learn about healthy cooking. Guest Chef Jeff Henderson will host the virtual Youth Cooking Class on February 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. To register for this free class, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-youth-cooking-class-tickets-524040598537?aff=ebdsoporgprofile. The registration deadline is February 18 at 8 p.m.

Blood pressure checks are vitally important because high blood pressure typically has no symptoms and thus cannot be detected without being measured. Free blood pressure checks, administered by SNHD, are available during February as follows:

• Friday, February 10:
  Masterpiece Raiders Barbershop, 3 – 5 p.m., 2300 N. Rainbow., Las Vegas 89108

• Friday, February 17:
  Master Barbering Galo, 3 – 5 p.m., 8090 Blue Diamond Rd., Las Vegas 89178

• Friday, February 24:
  Fade’em All Barbershop, 3 – 5 p.m., 7760 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89117

• Saturday, February 25:
  Blade Masters Barbershop, 10 a.m. – noon, 2245 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas 89108

Additionally, in partnership with the Barbershop Health Outreach Project, SNHD has installed permanent, self-administered blood pressure monitoring stations at the following businesses:

• Executive Cuts, 921 W. Owens Ave., Las Vegas 89106
• Blade Masters Barbershop, 2245 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas 89108

Customers and non-customers alike are invited to stop by and get a free blood pressure check as well as educational materials at these locations. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information, including dates and locations of future blood pressure screenings, visit www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org.