The first proclamation of Heart Health Awareness Month was issued in February 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, nine years after he had a heart attack.  Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans but there are things we can do to diminish incidents of heart disease.

While science is advancing medicine in exciting new ways, unhealthy lifestyle choices combined with rising obesity rates in both kids and adults have hindered progress fighting heart disease.

The good news is that heart disease is preventable in most cases with healthy choices, which include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, treating high blood pressure, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week and getting regular checkups.

For more information on Heart Health Awareness from the American Heart Association, visit:  www.heart.org/