The human heart is pretty impressive, as organs go. Mostly made up of muscle, this four-chambered workhorse beats about 100,000 times a day to pump 2,000 liters of blood. The blood, in turn, transports oxygen to your cells and carries waste away from them, enabling your body to function efficiently. That’s no small feat, which is why it’s essential that you take care of your heart.

February is American Heart Month, so it’s a great time to show your heart some heart. To get you started, here are 11 things everybody should know about their heart and its health.

  1. Just about every cell in your body receives blood from your heart. The exception? The corneas in your eyes, which don’t have blood vessels.
  2. Yes, your heart keeps working when you sneeze. The notion that your heart takes a break when you sneeze is a myth. However, your heartbeat may, in fact, slow down with each “achoo!” but then it picks back up where it left off.
  3. With its characteristic “lub-DUB” sound, your heart is its own kind of instrument. The “lub” is made by the closing of the valves between the atria and ventricles, and the “DUB” is made by the closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Anyone looking for a band name?
  4. A broken heart isn’t just a romantic notion—it really does have health implications. “Broken heart syndrome” is a condition that can be brought on by extreme emotions and stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can disrupt the pumping of blood and cause pain, which may make a person fear they’re experiencing a heart attack. Other names for broken heart syndrome include stress cardiomyopathy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy and apical ballooning syndrome.
  5. Heart attacks are more likely to happen at a particular time and on a specific day. Namely, in the morning and, interestingly, on Mondays. Harvard Health explains that the morning incidents are three times more likely because the production of a protein that makes blood clot more easily peaks at around 6:30 a.m. And Mondays? That’s because many people are re-adjusting after a weekend. “The resulting mismatch between their social and biological clock can cause subtle changes in blood pressure, hormone secretion, and metabolism that raise heart attack risk,” explains the Harvard Health article.
  6. Laughter is good for the heart. When you chortle, cackle and guffaw, it’s beneficial to your physical health as well as your mental health. The Mayo Clinic says that when you laugh, you take in more oxygen, which stimulates your heart and boosts endorphins. Laughing can also decrease your stress response, which helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure. So, laugh it up, whenever you can!
  7. Loneliness is not good for your heart. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report underscoring the health impact of social isolation. The report compares loneliness to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and highlights research associating social isolation with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. (You can download the report here).
  8. Heart disease may be the biggest threat to your health. It’s the leading cause of death in the U.S., and stroke is the fourth-leading cause. Together, those conditions account for one quarter of all deaths in this country, according to the American Heart Association. That’s more deaths than those caused by cancer and accidents, combined.
  9. There are actions you can take to improve your heart health and lower your risk for heart disease. Many of the factors that increase a person’s risk for developing heart disease revolve around their lifestyle choices. That means positive lifestyle changes could help improve heart health. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some heart-healthy pursuits: 
    • Quit using tobacco products (or don’t start, altogether)
    • Make physical activity a regular part of your routine, aiming for 30 to 60 minutes a day
    • Maintain a healthy weight
    • Eat heart-healthy foods
    • Get at least seven hours of sleep each night
    • Participate in activities that relieve your stress
  1. Still, some factors that raise your risk for heart disease can’t be controlled. According to The National Library of Medicine’s MedLine Plus, those include your age (the risk rises for older adults), your sex (men face a higher risk, although the gap starts to close as women enter menopause) and your family history (if your parents had coronary heart disease, it increases your risk). Learn your health history and see your doctor regularly, so they can identify any concerns and act early.  
  2. Heart health and Valentine’s Day can go hand in hand. February is the month of hearts, but sometimes it can feel like celebrating Cupid is in conflict with improving your heart health, what with the rich meals and sugary-sweet temptations. It doesn’t have to be that way! This year, plan a Valentine’s Day date that honors your love and your health. Think of an activity that gets you and your love moving, like dancing, golfing or just taking a walk; or, try a new heart-healthy recipe at home. There’s no better way to say I heart you!

As you celebrate your heart this month, perhaps the most meaningful action you can take is to make an appointment for a check-up with your primary care doctor. They can test your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, and help you devise a heart-healthy action plan that gives your heart the love it deserves.