February is Heart Health Month

Kim Griffin Contributor February is American Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage habits that protect our hearts. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and local data show it continues to significantly impact residents here in Suwannee County. County-level health data indicate that Suwannee County’s heart disease death rate is higher than the Florida average, underscoring the importance of prevention and early action. Conditions that increase the risk of heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use. These statistics show that heart health is not only