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.

Remember when your parents used to remind you to eat your vegetables so you can grow big and strong? Well, it’s actually important at every stage of life to get the proper nutrition so your body can be healthy. There are signs to when your body is missing key nutrients, and each symptom can be correlated to a specific nutrient.

It’s time to trade in your swimming suits for school supplies - back to school season is upon us! While many parents and caregivers are ready to get back into a routine again, actually doing so can take some time. The tips below can help you make healthy choices for your kids as you start the summer to classroom transition. 

Many people look forward to the summer. During the summer you can enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors, the days are longer, and there are plenty of fun things to do. The only complaint that people have during the summer is that it can get too hot. When the temperature reaches the 90's and the 100's, it can be very difficult to get comfortable. It can also be dangerous. If you are not careful and you don't keep yourself cool, your body can overheat, which can be very dangerous and even deadly.

The official start of summer brings the fun of outdoor activities, summer camps, vacations, and high temperatures. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of activities and a more relaxed routine, forgetting to take proper care of ourselves and our loved ones when the temperatures get into the triple digits. High temperatures combined with strenuous physical activity can lead to heat exhaustion. Luckily, with the right knowledge and precautions it’s completely preventable.

We all experience levels of stress, sadness, depression, anxiety and other emotions in our lives. They are part of who we are as human beings and our natural way of responding to situations. But as many as 1 in 5 people are affected by these expected behaviors and responses turning into a mental health condition. The signs of mental illness are not always obvious, and each mental health condition has its own symptoms. It’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms and to know how to help yourself or someone else who is suffering.

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.

The holidays are here, and while that means more opportunities for spreading cheer, there is also more opportunity for spreading flu and other respiratory viruses as people resume travel and gather with family and friends. National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 5-11) is an important reminder to check off one thing no one should go through the holiday season without: a flu vaccine.

Prediabetes is a serious health condition that puts you at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes affects more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults—that’s 88 million people—but most people don’t know they have it. The good news is that by making healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to manage or reverse prediabetes and prevent it from turning into type 2 diabetes.

There are things you should know to understand what breast cancer is, know your chances for getting it, and how to find it early. Finding breast cancer early is critical because when it is found early, it is easier to treat. Read to learn more about the common symptoms of breast cancer and the best way many women find breast cancer early.