Albert Lea High School is using the week of Valentine’s Day for more than just flowers and chocolate this year.

The high school is taking part in the American Heart Association’s Red Out for the first time. Activities are planned throughout the week to focus on heart disease awareness.

Any age group can have heart problems, said teacher Brittany Van Reese, an adviser for the ALHS Student Council.

“We typically think of it as a grandparent’s disease,” she said. “But that’s not the case. Heart disease doesn’t always target old people. Young people can have heart attacks and strokes, too.”

The biggest event will be a Red Out at the girls’ varsity basketball game at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15

The Tigers will host Faribault. The game will double as Senior Night.

Before the game, students will sell red T-shirts for $10 each. The proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. However, Van Reese said the Red Out is more about awareness than fundraising.

Throughout the week, students will be instructed on what to do in the event of a heart problem.

“During the advisory on Monday, we’ll go over a handout with the signs of a stroke,” Van Reese said. “We’ll also watch a video where a girl has a heart attack.

“The video promotes CPR and how it can be used to save a life by using chest compressions until help arrives.”

On Tuesday, Van Reese has more activities planned.

“We’re going to hand out hearts that the kids can write a name of someone affected by heart disease,” she said. “Then we’ll hang them on the wall in the gymnasium.”

Van Reese said she is hoping heart disease awareness becomes an annual event at the high school.