(Photo By Flickr User Thomas Hawk)

February is American Heart Month.

Did you know, every year, one in four deaths is caused by heart disease?

The good thing is that heart disease can often be prevented.

There are some things you can’t change, like family history or age.

But there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take to reduce your risk.

One of those things includes moving.

Dr. Irving Schwartz (a Cardiologist at Blessing Health System of Quincy, IL), says 30 minutes of steady aerobic exercise, five days a week is recommended.

Dr. Schwartz says managing stress is key to preventing heart issues.

Next would be reducing stress.

-Schwartz says try meditating or yoga, even forgiveness can help you de-stress.

The next step for preventing heart problems is knowing your numbers.

-“We look at your age, your gender, your levels, what’s your blood pressure, do you have blood sugar issues like diabetes, and do you smoke. We put all that into a formula and you can calculate a ten year predictive risk of you getting heart disease and then you can also predict the lifetime risk from that too,” said Dr. Schwartz.

FYI, if you are going to be in the Gem City Area, Blessing Health System is helping you know some of your numbers with a free cholesterol screening on Wednesday, February 27th.

The screening will be held in the Blessing Hospital Auditorium, just off the main lobby of the 11th and Spring entrance to the hospital.

It goes from 6:30am to 9am.

Reservations are required and space is limited.

(Information Courtesy Of KHQA-TV)