February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of taking care of our hearts. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 600,000 Americans dying from it every year.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk and improve our heart health. We will explore some simple heart-healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine, as well as resources for where to go to learn more about heart health.

Nearly half of the American population over age 20, has high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Devoting a little time every day to care for yourself can go a long way toward protecting the health of your heart. Simple self-care, such as taking a moment to de-stress, giving yourself time to move more, preparing healthier meals, and not cheating on sleep can all benefit your heart. And that’s a good thing, because heart disease is largely preventable and focusing on improving your heart health has never been more important.