February is American Heart Month
Maintaining heart health should be a team sport
By Jay Bhatt, D.O., managing director, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, Deloitte Services LP
It has been 62 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February as American Heart Month to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases.i While annual deaths from heart disease and stroke have declined considerably since then, they still account for one of every four deaths in the US.ii Many of those deaths are preventable. Heart disease isn’t like appendicitis or pneumonia—it usually develops gradually over many years as plaque builds up in the arteries.iii Moreover, good cardiovascular health is associated with younger brain age, slower cognitive decline, and reduced risk of dementia.iv People who assess their risk and take action early can meaningfully lower their chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.
As someone of South Asian descent, I think about this a lot. South Asians (e.g., people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives) face a significantly higher risk of heart disease than many other groups. Not only is our risk of heart disease up to four times higher, it also tends to develop 10–20 years earlier. Key drivers include high rates of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, higher lipoprotein(a) levels, and a tendency to store fat around organs, even at a lower BMI.v
In addition, heart disease both presents and behaves differently in men and women because of biological differences. Every cell of the body has a chromosomal makeup. When someone has XX chromosomes, their arteries, muscles, tendons behave differently than someone with XY chromosomes (see Heart disease in women: recognizing and addressing genetic differences). A recent study of 28,000 healthy women determined that even moderately elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) tracked with a higher risk of heart disease over 30 years.vi
Food choices and heart health
Food choices can have a profound impact on heart health by affecting blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation, which are seen as key drivers of cardiovascular disease. Diets high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. By contrast, diets rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats can help protect cardiovascular health. Moreover, food insecurity, compounded by other socioeconomic factors, further elevates risk by increasing stress levels, which is also linked to heart disease.vii
A wide range of stakeholders—including health systems, clinicians, employers, health plans, grocers, and retailers—have an opportunity to help make healthy foods more accessible. Embedding nutritious food choices into everyday life can improve population health, reduce medical costs for employers and health plans, and open new revenue opportunities for retailers. At the same time, it can help strengthen consumer engagement and build long-term loyalty across the entire ecosystem. (See Consumers want to eat their way to better health.)
Health care is a team sport
Rather than just addressing a specific disease or condition, health care organizations should look for opportunities to enhance or preserve an individual’s overall well-being. Whole-health initiatives have the potential to improve the health status of entire populations. To achieve this, whole-health thinking should be prioritized, deliberate, and sustained over time (see A 'whole health' approach to health care transformation). According to a Deloitte survey, a majority of people who have a chronic condition, such as heart disease, would like their doctor to provide nutrition counseling, personalized advice on foods that are best for good health, and a focus on preventive care and wellness (see US consumers want to eat their way to better health).
This whole-health approach is an important component of Deloitte’s vision for the Future of Health.TM Whole health emphasizes improving or sustaining the health of the individual rather than merely treating the individual’s diseases and illnesses (see A whole health approach to health care transformation.)
My colleague Dr. Ken Abrams and I recently spoke with Stacey Rosen, M.D., FAHA, about heart health and why staying healthy should be seen as a team sport. Stacey is volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women’s health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health of Northwell Health in New York City.
By understanding a patient’s medical and family history—along with what matters most to them—primary care teams can help people maintain or improve their health. Strong primary care can help prevent and manage chronic conditions and improve health outcomes at every stage of life, which can lead to longer life spans and health spans (see Employers can spark healthy aging). In addition to coordinating medical services and connecting patients with specialists, a care team can provide individuals with information and guidance about maintaining their health. Data from Deloitte UK indicates that strong primary care can help prevent and manage chronic conditions (see The shift to prevention: a new ecosystem of health promotion and protection). Stacey suggested that patients should show up to their doctor visits prepared to be an active participant. “I often tell people to write down questions before the visit. Notes can help focus the conversation and ensure that you get answers to the questions that are most important to you,” she explained.
Conclusion
Health is our most valuable asset, yet it is often treated as an afterthought. Rather than prioritizing prevention, many people wait until a health issue arises before taking action. This reactive approach is like skipping routine oil changes and only paying attention once the car’s engine begins to fail. Like engine trouble, heart disease is largely preventable. Meaningful progress could start to take place as individuals forge closer relationships with their care teams, and when health systems, employers, health plans, and food retailers work together to make healthy choices easier. A whole-health approach that prioritizes prevention over treatment can save lives, strengthen communities, and keep hearts healthier for longer. The payoff can be significant for health span.
The executive’s participation in this article is solely for educational purposes based on their knowledge of the subject and the views expressed by them are solely their own. This article should not be deemed or construed to be for the purpose of soliciting business for any of the companies mentioned, nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse the services or products provided by these companies.
Latest news from @DeloitteHealth
Endnotes:
iAmerican Heart Month, American Heart Association, February 2026
iiAs fewer Americans die from heart attacks, more succumb to chronic heart disease, Stanford Medicine, June 25, 2025
iiiCoronary artery disease: symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic, June 14, 2024
ivCardiovascular health can lower dementia risk, Baptist Health South Florida, November 19, 2025
vWhy are South Asians dying of heart disease?, American Heart Association News, May 17, 2023
vi30-year risk of cardiovascular disease among healthy women, JAMA Cardiology, January 7, 2026
viiA heart healthy diet keeps away coronary artery disease, University of Virginia, UVA Health, February 18, 2025
This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor.
Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.
Return to the Health Forward home page to discover more insights from our leaders.