More than half a million people die from heart disease in US every year. What can we do about it?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. More than half a million people die from heart disease in the country each year.

February is American Heart Health Month. And efforts are being made to stop one of the nation’s biggest killers in its tracks.

Doctors say there are things we can do to improve our heart health.

The most obvious is to exercise daily. They recommend that you spend at least 30 minutes a day exercising.

They also recommend setting realistic goals and working toward maintaining a healthy weight, which benefits your overall health and decreases your risk of developing heart disease.

Knowing your numbers is also key. Get annual checkups to make sure your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose are within normal levels.

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Doctors say if you smoke you should stop. That includes using nicotine-related products that are vaped. They are responsible for approximately one-third of heart disease-related deaths.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s vital for people to be active participants in their own health and well-being.