Subscribe in a reader Tweet By Fatima Shell-Sanchez, Registered Nurse with Visiting Nurse Service of New York February is National Heart Month, and as New Yorkers continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, take extra caution with hand washing and get vaccinated for COVID-19 when they are eligible, they’re also encouraged to check in with their health professionals about good heart health—especially with sedentary lifestyles on the increase due to COVID-19. Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is the leading cause of death for all Americans, and something to stay mindful of during the pandemic. HHD increases with age, and includes heart failure, coronary artery disease, and other conditions.  Each year, approximately 100,000 home care patients in the U.S. report a prior stroke, and a recent study at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York Center for Home Care Policy & Research further shows that, at start of care, recurrent stroke risk is high for many