February is American Heart Month, and it's important to talk about how to keep our hearts healthy. Heart disease can be very serious and affects a lot of adults in the United States. Some things that can cause heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, and smoking. But did you know there are other things that can affect our heart health too? For example, where you live can play a big role in your heart health. Some places have more poverty and less access to healthy food and exercise. Even the quality of your tap water can make a difference, with some studies showing a link between certain chemicals in water and heart disease. It's also important to watch what we drink, as too much diet soda can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially for women over 50. Even things like stress and pregnancy can impact our heart health. High stress levels can make us more likely to have a heart attack, and complications during pregnancy can increase the risk of heart disease later in life. And it's not just adults who need to worry about heart health – unhealthy habits from a young age can also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life. The best way to take care of our hearts is to surround ourselves with good people and be kind to ourselves. It's never too early to start thinking about heart health, so let's make sure we're eating well, staying active, and taking care of our hearts every day. Let's work together to keep our hearts strong and healthy!