February is American Heart Health Month in the United States. If there is one disease that needs the most attention, it’s heart-related. Cardiovascular diseases continue to pose a great threat to public health and the economy in the United States. Still, improving the nation’s heart health is fairly simple, with just a few, small personal changes needed to save a lot of lives.

Did you know that the leading killer of both men and women in America is cardiovascular disease? The Centers for Disease Control report that heart related illnesses will account for 25-percent of all deaths in the United State in 2015. Cardiovascular disease is fairly encompassing of all heart related illness. The CDC states that the disease can range from anything to stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease, just to name a few.

Heart-related diseases are also the leading cause of disability in the United States. The CDC estimates that Cardiovascular disease in all its forms costs the United States about $300 billion a year. Those costs include health care costs, lost productivity on the economy and other medical costs (such as medicines).

So why are one in every four persons in the United States dying each year from cardiovascular disease? Mainly, people are acquiring heart-related diseases solely because of lifestyle choices. But,race is also a determining factor in who is more likely to have a cardiovascular disease. According to the CDC almost half of all African Americans will have to deal with some form of cardiovascular disease in their life time. The numbers, 44% of men and 48% of women show that gender is not a factor. Cardiovascular problems usually start earlier in life for African Americans. Two in five are more likely than any other group to have higher blood pressure earlier in life.

How can someone improve their heart health? The good news is simple lifestyle changes and making healthier choices go a long way in saving lives. From making the right choices when we go shopping, to encouraging schools to reduce sugary or fatty foods, there are so many options to improve your health as well as the health of people around you. Drinking less and stopping smoking all together are other ways to limit the disease. It is a personal choice, but it takes the will of the community to ensure these changes are widespread.

Movement is the best way to improve heart health. Exercising at least three times per week is one way to feel healthier and strengthen your heart. Take up a favorite sport like basketball or swimming, or take a stroll around the neighborhood. You're more likely to have success if you can find someone to be active with. Because stress is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease, exercise takes on an even greater importance. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress.

What can bring upon stress? There are several things that are out of your control, and some you can gain control of. Usually sudden life changes bring on the most stress like death or money problems, but even good things that happen, like a job promotion, can add to stress.

Aside from exercise there are other ways to reduce stress and improve your heart health. Other people have shown improvement by using meditation. In more serious cases stress can be reduced by talking to a mental health professional and medicines.