As February marks Heart Month, the focus turns to awareness, prevention and action against the nation’s leading cause of death. For American Heart Association South Central Pennsylvania Executive Director Devon Sprenkle, the mission is both professional and personal.
“Well, to me personally, I have a family history of cardiovascular disease, so it is important to me personally,” Sprenkle said. “But as the executive director for the American Heart Association, it is an important month for us. In February, of course, it’s Heart Month. And so all things heart and really bringing awareness to our mission.”
While February shines a spotlight on heart health, Sprenkle emphasized that the work continues year-round. The organization hosts hands-only CPR demonstrations, installs blood pressure cuffs in local libraries for public use and organizes major events such as the Heart Ball in March, Go Red for Women in May and four Heart Walks in the fall.
Nationally, the statistics remain sobering.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of all Americans,” Sprenkle said. “Stroke is number four, and so it’s really important for everybody to take steps to prevent heart disease and be an advocate for their own heart health as well.”
One persistent myth, she noted, is that women are not at high risk.
“Women actually don’t think that they’re at risk for heart disease, when in fact, heart disease is actually the number one killer of women,” Sprenkle said. “I think there are women that need to take more proactive approach to health overall so that they can prevent.”
The association promotes what it calls Life’s Essential Eight — four health factors and four health behaviors that support heart health. Those include knowing key numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and blood sugar levels, as well as staying active, eating more fruits and vegetables, quitting smoking and vaping, and getting adequate sleep.
“Everybody should try to get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night,” Sprenkle said.
Recognizing the warning signs of heart attack and stroke is also critical. Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, but discomfort in the jaw, neck or back, shortness of breath, nausea and lightheadedness can also signal trouble. For stroke, Sprenkle urges people to remember FAST: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 911.
Learning hands-only CPR can be lifesaving, she added, especially since most cardiac arrests happen outside a hospital setting and survival rates remain low.
“Knowing hands-only CPR, you are the first responder until responders arrive,” Sprenkle said. Addressing fears about causing injury, she pointed to Good Samaritan protections and added, “If you break a rib, you’re doing it right. Somebody can survive a broken rib, but they can’t survive cardiac arrest if they don’t get the help that’s needed in that time, and every minute counts.”
In South Central Pennsylvania, the organization also works to address disparities in care. Black Americans face some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease, often tied to inequities in access to care. Rural communities also experience gaps in services, and women have historically been underrepresented in research and treatment.
Ultimately, Sprenkle hopes Heart Month inspires people to take ownership of their well-being.
“One of our board members recently said, ‘You’re the CEO of your own health,’” she said. “Find a way to get involved, go to your doctor, be your own advocate. We can all do a small part in not only helping us to live longer, healthier lives, but also helping other people live longer, healthier lives.”
