February is American Heart month - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

February is American Heart month

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February is American Heart month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Doctors are encouraging women to recognize the signs and educate themselves on what we can do to live heart-healthy lives.

Earlean Belcher knows all too well the importance of eating healthy and exercising. She says she was at risk of getting heart disease until she changed her lifestyle.

"I am almost at a non diabetic state due to exercise eating more healthy . I have more energy," said Earlean Belcher

Millions of people suffer from heart disease.  It's also the number one killer of women in the united states.

The president of the Heart and Vascular Institute for Promedica, Dr. Jim Bingle says there's a strong push to get women to recognize the symptoms.

"Knowing your blood pressure knowing your cholesterol and stopping smoking," President of the Heart and Vasular Institute for Promedica Dr. Jim Bingle.

The cardiologist says heart disease mostly affects the elderly, but he's seeing more and more cases of people in their 30's and 40's having heart attacks.

He says there's two simple ways you can fight heart disease .

"One is exercise exercise really does change the arteries and the inside of the arteries and how they react the second is weight loss what we put in our mouths and what we eat is very key. Vegetables and fruit are the best thing in the world for you heart," said Dr. Jim Bingle.

A healthy lifestyle change Ms. Belcher says has significantly improve her health.

"I feel more youthful and vivid and I feel more alive," said Belcher.

Toledo hospital now has a cardiologist 24-7 in their emergency room to assist patients who come in with heart problems.

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