The American Heart Association has always designated February as American Heart Month. With all of the valentines to remind us of our heart, what better month to draw attention to the most important heart of all; the one NOT made of paper. With cardiovascular disease being our nation's leading cause of death, some heart-healthy information may help us hang around for those we love and who love us.

General Information
•  Every 25 seconds an American will have a heart attack
•  Women 55 or older are at greater risk
•  Men 45 or older are at greater risk

Most women are not aware that heart attacks are not just for old-ladies. To bring attention to this issue, you may see women wearing a Red Dress pin. This became a symbol for the American Heart Association in 2002 as a way to raise awareness among women, and to encourage them to become heart-healthy.

Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms
It is important to know and understand the various signs and symptoms of a heart attack. While one person may experience pain in their arm, another may feel what they believe to be indigestion. A refresher course from the American Red Cross, and American Heart Association, may just save your life, or the life someone you are in contact with.

•  Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain

•  Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

•  Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

"An Ounce of Prevention..."
It will come as no surprise that eating a balanced, healthy diet, getting exercise, and going to your doctor for yearly check-ups are the first lines of defense. But what are some specific foods that may be most helpful in keeping your arteries flowing smoothly?

•  Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.

•  Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.

•  Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.

•  Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.

•  Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars. Eat more grains, fruits and deep green vegetables.

•  Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.

•  If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks per day if you're a man.

Eat Fish!
According to an eight-year study conducted by Danish researchers, some surprising findings included:

•  Women who seldom or never eat fish may be increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease by 50 percent or more, according to the first population-based study among younger women.

•  Those who ate fish most often, especially fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids, had 90 percent lower risk than those who ate little or no fish.

•  The link with cardiovascular disease was evident, even among women in their 30's