February has been recognized by the American Heart Association, since 1963, as American Heart Month.

American Heart Month is observed due to the fact that cardiovascular diseases, including strokes and heart attacks, are our nation’s No. 1 killer. The purpose of American Heart Month is to increase public knowledge of various cardiovascular diseases by raising funds for research and encouraging heart healthy habits to promote prevention.

According to the Center for Disease Control, living a heart healthy lifestyle includes making wise daily food choices. Here are some of their recommendations:

• Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.

• Select fat-free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products.

• Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.

• Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.

• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.

• Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (or less than 1,500 mg if you are in a higher risk group for high blood pressure).

• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man.

• Keep an eye on your portion sizes.

In addition to healthy eating habits, the American Heart Association also recommends doing the following to lead a heart healthy lifestyle:

• Avoid use and exposure to tobacco products.

• Achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

• Emphasize physical activity and weight control.

To learn about American Heart Month, visit www.americanheart. org