Jan. 10, 2026, 5:01 am ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Million Hearts initiative 15 years ago. The goal is to save lives from cardiovascular disease by preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes from January 2022 to December 2026.
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women. In 2022, one in every five deaths in the nation was caused by heart disease. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of heart disease.
Every 34 seconds in the United States, an adult dies from cardiovascular disease. It is not always the case, but different lifestyle choices could change this statistic. Many people want to be healthier but are not quite sure where to start. If you have goals to be healthier this year, you are not alone. Year after year, the most common New Year’s resolutions relate to improving our health.
The American Heart Association has Healthy Habit Hacks on its website heart.org. These are based on research about behavior change. One of the suggestions is habit stacking. This is when we regularly link a new positive action to other parts of our current routine.
Here are some examples.
When you heat water for coffee or tea, wash and prepare a vegetable or fruit for snacking later. When you open a can or box or other food package, read the nutrition facts to see how many servings are in the container and how much sodium is in one serving.
This also works well for increasing movement during our day. When you brush your teeth, add a few squats or calf raises or lunges while you brush. When you sit down to check email at your computer, do a couple of seated stretches for your torso and neck. When you get in the car, put on your seat belt and then take three slow, deep beaths before you start the car.
If you are ready for some healthy changes in your life, then the Heart Healthy Living program may be for you. I am excited about teaching this new program here in Coshocton County.
American Heart Month is recognized every February. This year, Ohio State University Extension and Coshocton Regional Medical Center are offering a nutrition and lifestyle education program for people with cardiovascular disease and those seeking to reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
This program is a three-class series. Learn how to lower sodium, use herbs and spices, reduce saturated and trans-fats and practice techniques to better manage stress. Participants will taste a variety of recipes from main dishes to desserts from breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Heart Healthy Living three-class series is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 12 and 19, at Coshocton Regional Medical Center, 1460 Orange St. The snow date will be Feb. 26, if needed. I will teach the classes with Leslie Mayle, registered dietitian at CRMC.
The Heart Healthy Living series is $15 and includes educational handouts, recipe booklets and tastings of heart healthy recipes. Research shows we are more likely to stick with behavior changes when we have a supportive friend or family member. You can register a support person to bring with you for an additional $10. Register by January 30 at go.osu.edu/hearthealthy.
Today, I’ll leave you with this quote from Marianne Williamson: “In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”
Emily Marrison is the OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator in Coshocton County and Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University. She may be reached at 740-622-2265 ormarrison.12@osu.edu.