February is American Heart Month, a time for everyone to think about their own heart health and prevention. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in America, and has been for a century.

Almost 50% of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Heart disease prevention is for everyone, and it begins at your yearly checkup. At this appointment, your primary care provider will note important measures that can indicate possible cardiovascular disease or higher risk, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol level and a listen of your heartbeat and breathing.

Inform your provider of any symptoms, even if they come and go, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme fatigue or swelling in the legs and feet. It’s also a great time to discuss weight, diet, exercise and family history, which can also indicate possible risk.

Smoking is one major risk factor you can control. Smoking increases risk of heart disease by two to four times, depending on how many cigarettes you smoke each day.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for a future event like a heart attack or stroke, because the constant higher pressure of blood pumping through the body can weaken or damage the heart and vessels.

If you have ongoing high blood pressure that’s documented on multiple occasions and not just once when you’re hurried, upset or nervous, your primary care provider will recommend lifestyle changes including diet and exercise and possibly medication.

High blood sugar can damage vessels and nerves. Higher than normal readings in your blood cholesterol count is a risk factor that requires monitoring. Plaque buildup in the arteries restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Possible treatment options depend on your numbers and risk factors.

Heart and vascular screenings are an option to consider for your health screening regimen. They include blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, blood pressure, CT calcium scoring and vascular ultrasounds. A high CT calcium score which detects calcium deposits in coronary arteries can assess risk for cardiovascular disease. An important aspect of the screening is discussion with the nurse about risk factors.

The American College of Cardiologists recommends heart and vascular screenings for men beginning at age 40 and women beginning at age 45. Frequency depends on risk factors, but for most people, the recommendation is every five to 10 years.

The following healthy lifestyle tips benefit your heart health as well as your overall health:

• Eat a diet that focuses on lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit sodium and added sugar.

• Limit saturated and trans fats. Choose healthy fats such as fatty or oily fish, nuts and olive or canola oil.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• If you smoke, ask your care team to help you quit.

• Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes.

• Drink less alcohol, if at all. Limit alcohol to no more than up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.

If you have questions or concerns about your heart health, your primary care provider is happy to help you — call today.

— Debbie Streier is regional president/CEO at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center