February is American Heart Month! A good time to learn more about heart health, such as: What is heart disease? How do you prevent heart disease? How do you keep your heart healthy?
by: SAC Health Staff Writer

Why does heart health matter?
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States for men and women of all adult ages, but it doesn’t have to be. Most heart disease is highly preventable through lifestyle changes, regular check-ups, and being aware of the danger signs.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease comes in many different forms and can have a lot of different names. In general, though, heart disease is caused by one of the following issues:
Circulation problems: blood not being able to move through the body because of a blockage. These are the most common and we usually call them heart attacks.
Electrical problems: your heart not beating at regular times. These are less common and normally referred to as cardiac arrest.
What causes heart disease?
Heart disease is caused by many different factors:
Factors out of your control:
● Family history of heart disease
● Age (55+ for women, 45+ for men)
Factors you can work with a doctor to control:
● High blood pressure
● High cholesterol
● Overweight and obesity
● Diabetes
Factors you can control at home:
● Smoking
● Lack of exercise
● Unhealthy eating habits
● Excessive drinking
How do you prevent and treat heart disease?
Luckily, there are lots of ways to both prevent and treat heart disease. Being aware of your risk is the first step. If you have a history of heart disease in your family or are over the age of 45, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about heart health management.
However, there’s no right age to start living heart-healthy. Getting 30 minutes of exercise a day, eating foods low in cholesterol, and cutting back on smoking and drinking go a long way towards keeping your heart beating steadily.
To make an appointment with a primary care provider at SAC Health, visit sachealth.org/appointments or speak to a doctor about preventative heart health. It’s never too late to start making changes for a long and healthy life.