As a part of February’s American Heart Month, the Radiological Society of North America has released a series of videos to help people identify the signs and prevent heart disease.

The month of February is declared as the official American Heart Month. Every year, an estimated 600,000 people suffer and die from heart disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Amongst these diseases, coronary artery disease, also known as CAD, is the most common form of heart disease. A range of screening tests are available for CAD, including calcium scoring with cardiac CT, which can identify areas where plaque buildup is visible.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has provided a list of signs that hint towards a life-threatening disease through a number of public service announcements (PSA). Each announcement is a 15-, 30-, or 60-second pre-recorded piece in both English and Spanish. Both audio and written files for each announcement can be found and downloaded here.

Coronary artery disease occurs when “plaque builds up along the walls of the heart’s arteries, causing them to narrow and limit blood flow” according to the RSNA. The RSNA also lists high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and lack of exercise as factors leading up to heart disease. Age, gender, and family history also contribute to the risk of coronary heart disease.

These PSAs also direct listeners to www.RadiologyInfo.org, where patients can find information about treatments, procedures, and radiologic tests that could save a life. The site is produced by both the RSNA and the American College of Radiology (ACR) and is free for public use.

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