February is American Heart Month

February is a great time to pause and show your heart a little extra love. American Heart Month is all about raising awareness of heart disease, learning simple prevention steps, and encouraging healthier habits that really do add up over time. Since heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., even small changes can make a meaningful difference.

Here are a few quick facts worth knowing (and sharing):

• Heart disease affects nearly half of U.S. adults, often without obvious symptoms.
• High blood pressure is a major risk factor, and many people don’t realize they have it.
• Physical activity matters — just 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days can help lower risk.
• Healthy eating helps your heart: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and limiting salt all support heart health.
• Smoking significantly increases heart disease risk, but quitting can improve heart health quickly.
• Regular checkups save lives by catching issues like high cholesterol or diabetes early.

This month can serve as a great reminder to schedule checkups, move a little more, make heart-smart food choices, and encourage loved ones to do the same. Taking care of your heart today can make a real difference for tomorrow.