TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That's one in every four U.S. deaths annually.
That's why along with Valentine's Day, February marks American Heart Month.
Healthcare professionals want you to take charge of your heart health.
Here in the Capital City, physicians gathered at the Capital Regional Medical Center's conference center for a symposium focusing on cardiovascular health, working to educate the public about the very real risk of heart disease.
Doctor Niraj Pandit was one of the experts at the outreach event and he says the disease is particularly common in women.
While many lifestyle choices and medical conditions can put you at risk for heart disease, the three leading causes are high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking.
But, according to the CDC, small changes can make a big difference:
1) Always schedule regular visits with your doctor to talk about your heart health
2) Start moving! Daily exercise is a great way to keep your ticker healthy.
3) If you aren't used to being active, start by taking 15 minute walks, and work up from there
4) Focus on healthy eating habits like cooking at home and limiting the amount of sodium you consume.
