February is a month filled with love and appreciation of loved ones, but are you loving your own heart enough? The Centers for Disease Control states that around 647,000 individuals in the United States die every year from cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease. There are ways to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association Communications Director Chrissy Meyers outlined some of the ways individuals can lower their risk of heart disease, “We know that a heart healthy diet and physical activity are two of the biggest contributors. If you’re eating a heart healthy diet that includes lean proteins, whole grain, lots of fruits and veggies, that’s going to help the picture a little bit. In addition, if you’re getting the recommended 115 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, that helps as well. But one of the biggest things that we see, and the biggest things we recommend, is tobacco use. We really want to make sure that if you are a smoker, you make a plan to quit, and find a way to get tobacco out of your routine.” Meyers also recommends individuals get routine doctors check ups to better understand their risks for heart disease.