Some of you reading this blog may have made a New Year’s resolution and for many of you it might have been to lose weight, get in better shape or perhaps both. As we approach the end of January, some of you are doing well, some are having a hard time, and still others have already fallen off that wagon.

February is American Heart Month and offers a second chance for us to look at the things we can do to lead a heart healthy life. According to the CDC , cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It is the number 1 killer of women and men in the United States and is a leading cause of disability. Including the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity, CVD costs the United States over $300 billion each year. They recommend that we Take It One Step at a Time and remind us that we can control a number of risk factors for CVD, including:

• Diet
• Physical activity
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest, largest voluntary organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke. You can find information about the Numbers That Count for a Healthy Heart on their website.