American Heart Association
10/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2026 21:57
October features Hispanic Heritage Month, World Stroke Day, World Mental Health Day, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, Hypertension news and more
National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Did You know:
- Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for Hispanic women and No. 4 for Hispanic men.
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Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age.
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Stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms.
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Join us for World StrokeDay on October 29th
and commit to learning and sharing the R.Á.P.I.D.O. and B.E. F.A.S.T. warning signs.
You just might save a life from stroke.
Transcripción Infográfica: R.Á.P.I.D.O.
R - Rostro caído (Face drooping)Á - Alteración del equilibrio (Loss of Balance, or Lack of Coordination)
P - Pérdida de fuerza en el brazo (Arm weakness)
I - Impedimento visual repentino (Sudden vision difficulty)
D - Dificultad para hablar (Slurred or Strange Speech)
O - Obtener ayuda, llamar al 911 (Get help, call 911)
Tome medidas para prevenir el derrame cerebral ahora para poder estar presente más adelante. Obtenga más información en Stroke.org/Espanol.
copyright American Heart Association 2026
Learn about stroke risk factors and steps that may help lower risk.
Learn the stroke warning signs: B.E. F.A.S.T.
- Balance Loss
- Eye (Vision) Changes
- Face Drooping
- Arm Weakness
- Speech Difficulty
- Time to call 911
For more information visit stroke.org.
copyright American Heart Association 2026
The American Heart Association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative NHLCC works to improve heart health in Hispanic and Latino communities by addressing health disparities and supporting future healthcare leaders.
News releases:
- Cardiovascular disease tops cancer as leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in U.S. - Hispanic adults face unique cardiovascular health challenges that require culturally relevant prevention and care strategies, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement. Las enfermedades cardiovasculares superan al cáncer y se posicionan como causa principal de muerte entre los adultos hispanos en EE. UU.
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Representation matters for heart health - The American Heart Association champions the people, programs and partnerships essential to improving health among Hispanic/Latino communities - Mes de la Herencia Hispana: La representación importa para la salud del corazón
NHLCC and Hispanic students
Johanna Contreras, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, clinical volunteer and founding member of the American Heart Association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC); cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital System in New York City.
Transcript (txt)
copyright American Heart Association 2026
El impacto de NHLCC y estudiantes Hispanos
Johanna Contreras, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, clinical volunteer and founding member of the American Heart Association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC); cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital System in New York City.
Transcript (doc)
copyright American Heart Association 2026
NHLCC's impact on future cardiologists
Johanna Contreras, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, clinical volunteer and founding member of the American Heart Association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC); cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital System in New York City.
Transcript (txt)
copyright American Heart Association 2026
La representacion en el campo de medicina
Johanna Contreras, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, clinical volunteer and founding member of the American Heart Association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC); cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital System in New York City.
Transcript (doc)
copyright American Heart Association 2026
copyright American Heart Association
October 5th - National Child Health Day
According to the American Heart Association, too much screen time and unhealthy on-the-go eating habits could make for some hard lessons in poor heart health in the future.
Keep busy kids focused on heart health | Spanish news release
Infographic information/text copyright American Heart Association
October is Emotional Wellness Month
and
Mental Health Day is Oct. 10
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It's an opportunity to focus on managing issues like stress that can impact your well-being, physically and mentally.
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- Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help reduce levels of depression, anxiety, and improve your sleep. Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself today to help you get started.
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In a world of constant notifications, late-night emails and endless scrolling, truly unplugging after work can feel harder than ever. Learn more about the 5 ways you can unplug and how it can benefit your health.
More Resources:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
World Restart a Heart Day October 16th
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a "circulation" problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an "electrical" problem.
According to American Heart Association data, 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival.
The Association encourages everyone, everywhere to join in the Nation of Lifesavers initiative and make CPR awareness and education a permanent fixture in all communities across the country. Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life now at www.heart.org/nation.
copyright American Heart Association
It's also Health Literacy Month and National Health Education Week - Oct. 19-23.
Life's Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, as defined by the Association. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems.
LE8 Health Behaviors and Health Factors
Health Behaviors: Eat Better
Health Behaviors: Be More Active
Health Behaviors: Quit Tobacco
Health Behaviors: Get Healthy Sleep
Health Factors: Manage Weight
Health Factors: Control Cholesterol
Health Factors: Manage Blood Sugar
Health Factors: Manage Blood Pressure
Flu Season Preparedness
National Preparedness Month
The American Heart Association has important tips to prepare for hurricanes and other natural disasters that can negatively impact physical and mental health - Community Resources.
MORE OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS
October 1-7 - National Walk Your Dog Week and October 29th - National Cat Day
Healthy Bond for Life™ - Our furry friends enrich our lives - at home, and at work. And pets are good for your health, too!
Having a pet may help you live a longer, healthier life! Pets can benefit your health in many different ways. They can help raise fitness levels. They can help lower stress, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Best of all, pets can boost people's overall happiness and well-being. We have the science to prove it!
October 1 - World Vegetarian Day - Consider adding one more plant-forward meal to your week. Explore heart-healthy vegetarian recipesfor simple ideas.
October 21 - National Check Your Meds Day - Medication has come a long way in helping us lower our risks of heart disease by managing high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels and helping prevent stroke. But you have an important role in making sure those medications work.
October 25 - Make A Difference Day - Learn how your donation can equip communities to beat cardiovascular disease.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026
October 7-11, 2026
Hyatt Regency Crystal City | Arlington, Virginia
- News to be added October 7-10th.
The American Heart Association
Scientific Sessions 2026, Nov. 6-9, 2026
and Resuscitation Science Symposium 2026, Nov. 7-8, 2026
McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois
American Heart Association published this content on October 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 03, 2026 at 03:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]