Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in both men and women, claiming the lives of nearly 1 million Americans every year. Nearly 40 percent of all female deaths in America occur from cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke.

 

That’s why it is important to take care of our heart, physically and emotionally, and try to stay away from “trouble.” That’s why, the American Heart Society has picked February as the American Heart Month, a time of the year when all Americans should acknowledge risks for heart disease and try to prevent them.

 

Heart attack accounts for 310,000 deaths in the U.S. yearly, or 850 a day, a number equaling deaths caused by breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke and AIDS combined.

 

What can you do to prevent heart disease?

 

Studies have shown that high blood pressure, high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, being physically inactive, stress or having a family history of early heart disease are all factors increasing your chance of heart disease. If some of these factors cannot be controlled such as genes running in your family or stress, some others like smoking and alcohol use can be important steps you can take to prevent heart disease. Tobacco smoke is risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke. Alcohol use also increases blood pressure.

 

February is the month dedicated to the heart’s health. The sooner you realize the bad habits leading you to heart disease, the better are your chances to live a longer life and the American Heart Month is here to stress that out. Live healthily, live longer!