When is American Heart Month?
American Heart Month 2027
Mon, Feb 1, 2027 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027
The whole of February. That's in 120 days.
until American Heart Month begins, in your time zone
American Heart Month is a February campaign to help people understand and lower their risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the first one for February 1964.
About American Heart Month
During American Heart Month, health agencies, hospitals and community groups encourage people to check their blood pressure and cholesterol, stay active, quit smoking and learn the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and cardiovascular disease accounted for about one in three US deaths in 2023.
The observance has a legal basis. On December 30, 1963, Congress approved a joint resolution asking the president to proclaim February as American Heart Month every year. The same day, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Proclamation 3566, declaring February 1964 the first American Heart Month and inviting governors to issue their own proclamations. Today the American Heart Association and federal health agencies use the month for public education campaigns.
Heart health in women gets special attention in February. In 2002 the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute created The Heart Truth, the first federally sponsored national program to raise awareness of heart disease in women, and introduced the red dress as its symbol. National Wear Red Day, held on the first Friday in February, asks people to wear red as a reminder that heart disease is not only a man's disease.
Common heart attack symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw. Anyone with these signs should call 911 right away.
Sources: American Presidency Project: Proclamation 3566, American Heart Month, 1964, CDC: Heart Disease Facts, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: About The Heart Truth and the Red Dress. How we check dates.
How to mark American Heart Month
- Get your blood pressure checked at a clinic, pharmacy or health fair, and write down the numbers to discuss with your doctor.
- Wear red on National Wear Red Day, the first Friday in February, and tell people why heart health matters to you.
- Learn Hands-Only CPR through a short local class or a video from a recognized health organization.
- Add a daily walk or another activity you enjoy, working toward the federal guideline of 150 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults.
- Ask your doctor whether it's time for cholesterol and blood sugar tests.
American Heart Month dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sat, Feb 1 – Fri, Feb 28 |
| 2026 | Sun, Feb 1 – Sat, Feb 28 |
| 2027 | Mon, Feb 1 – Sun, Feb 28 |
| 2028 | Tue, Feb 1 – Tue, Feb 29 |
| 2029 | Thu, Feb 1 – Wed, Feb 28 |
| 2030 | Fri, Feb 1 – Thu, Feb 28 |
| 2031 | Sat, Feb 1 – Fri, Feb 28 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is American Heart Month 2027?
American Heart Month 2027 is Mon, Feb 1, 2027 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027. It falls on the whole of February. In 2028, it is on Tuesday, February 1, 2028.
What is National Wear Red Day?
It is the first Friday in February, when people wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women. It is part of The Heart Truth program from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
Common signs are chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling weak or faint, and pain in the arms, shoulders, back, neck or jaw. Women are more likely to also have nausea or unusual tiredness; call 911 right away if these appear.
Is American Heart Month a public holiday?
No. American Heart Month is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.