PROTECT YOUR HEART this American Heart Month
Every February, American Heart Month serves as an important reminder to pause and take stock of our cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in both the region and across the nation, underscoring the importance of prevention, early detection, and access to expert care. The good news: many forms of heart disease are preventable, and even small, sustained lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on long-term health.
According to Alison L. Bailey, M.D., vice chief of Cardiology at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, protecting your heart starts with simple steps that nearly every adult can incorporate into daily life.
“Anything you do that moves your body counts,” Bailey emphasized, reinforcing that regular activity-both aerobic exercise and resistance training-is a powerful tool for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Nutrition is another cornerstone of prevention. A heart-healthy eating pattern emphasizes vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains while limiting saturated fats and highly processed foods to promote healthy cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure.
Bailey also highlighted two frequently overlooked factors: sleep and tobacco exposure. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep nightly, as poor sleep is linked to elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and higher heart disease risk. And when it comes to tobacco, she is clear: there is no safe level of exposure.
Understanding your heart health numbers is just as vital. Optimal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg, LDL (bad) cholesterol should be kept as low as possible, and fasting blood sugar should remain under 100 mg/dL to avoid prediabetes. Maintaining a body mass index (BMI) under 25 and keeping waist measurements in a healthy range further reduces risk.
Women face unique cardiovascular challenges. One in three women will die from heart disease, and nearly 45 percent live with some form of cardiovascular disease today. Pregnancy can also reveal previously hidden risks, with 10-20 percent of women experiencing cardiovascular issues during pregnancy.
This American Heart Month, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute encourages every individual to take one meaningful step toward improving heart health-whether it’s moving more, improving nutrition, checking blood pressure, or eliminating tobacco exposure. By combining prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment, WVU Medicine delivers world-class cardiovascular care to communities across the region.
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