It’s February and love is in the air! We found these facts regarding Valentine's Day, the human heart, and America’s number one killer—heart disease.
392,000
Number of men who died from cardiovascular disease in 2007
420,000
Number of women in the United States who died of cardiovascular disease in 2008
41,000
Number of women in the United States who died of breast cancer in 2008
1903
Year that chest compressions were first used in human resuscitation
7
Number of beats per minute your maximum heart beat declines by decade
32
Lance Armstrong’s resting heart rate
10
Number of minutes you should sit quietly before checking your resting heart rate
80
Number of beats per minute (and higher) associated with a greater risk of becoming obese or developing heart disease
8 million
Females alive today who have a history of heart attack, angina pectoris, or both
56
Percent of sudden deaths in athletes due to cardiovascular disease
190 million
Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year
14 billion
Total value in dollars of chocolate product shipments in 2007 by producers
48
Percentage of US consumers who will give each other candy on Valentine's Day
1868
Year the first box of Valentine's Day chocolates was introduced
15
Percent of women who send flowers to themselves on Valentine's Day
85
Percentage of valentines purchased by women
100,000
Miles of blood vessels in the average adult
30
Minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity recommended for adults per day
20-60
Minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, 3-5 days a week, needed to improve cardiovascular endurance
10
Weight of the average male heart in ounces
6
Average weight in ounces of the female heart
33
Number of years Jump Rope for Heart has been raising money for The American Heart Association
2,000
Gallons of blood pumped through the heart’s chambers a day
100,000
Number of heart beats in a day
20
Percentage of increased blood flow through the entire body from a good laugh
8 billion
Number of candy hearts manufactured in 2008
3,000
Miles cycled in 2011 to raise awareness for heart disease in women
1 million
Women have joined Go Red for Women— the American Heart Association’s organization for women to learn about heart disease
2 million +
American students participated in Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops in 2010
Sources:
www.goredforwomen.org; www.goredforwomen.org; www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/WhatisCPR/CPRFactsandStats/Histor%20y-of-CPR_UCM_307549_Article.jsp#.TvIV72BuHR0; www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/the-truth-about-heart-rate-and-exercise?page=2; www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/5-heart-rate-myths-debunked?page=3; www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/5-heart-rate-myths-debunked?page=2; www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/the-truth-about-heart-rate-and-exercise?page=2; www.womansday.com/Articles/Life/Holidays/10-Fun-Valentine-s-Day-Facts.html; www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Populations_UCM_319119_Article.jsp#.TskQsXFhGHs; www.squidoo.com/valentines-day-statistics; www.womansday.com/Articles/Life/Holidays/10-Fun-Valentine-s-Day-Facts.html; allbestideas.blogspot.com/2010/01/valentines-day-statistics.html; www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/2010-Annual-Report_UCM_321084_Article.jsp#.TskZUHFhGHs; www.fitnesshealth101.com/fitness/cardio; www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/kick-up-with-cardio-exercise; exercise.about.com/od/cardioworkouts/tp/cardioexercise.htm; www.webmd.com/heart/features/amazing-facts-about-heart-health-and-heart-disease_; www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/For-Teachers-Jump-Rope-For-Heart_UCM_312528_Article.jsp#.TtKdTXFhGHs; health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/circulatory/heart-pump-blood.htm;