UofL Health kicks off American Heart Month with tips for keeping your heart healthy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for people in Jefferson County, according to UofL Health.

Doctors said Black Louisvillians are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease than any other racial or ethnic group in the city.

Kicking off American Heart Month on Thursday, UofL Health said it's important to be mindful of "the four b's," blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI.

Health experts said the most common sign of a heart attack is feeling pressure in your chest. But, if you're diabetic or a woman, doctors said you might not have the classic symptoms.

"You may experience things like shortness of breath, jaw or tooth pain, arm pain, reflux-like symptoms, cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, and this might start up to one month before the actual attack," UofL Dr. Mrinali Shetty said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, women in the U.S. "are experiencing unacceptable and avoidable heart-related illness and death," and said "nearly half of U.S. women do not recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women."

To read more about women's heart health, click here.

Doctors recommend getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise more and spend some time relaxing.

To read more about heart care at UofL Health, click here.

The American Heart Association said its initiative during this American Heart Month brings a renewed focus on CPR and instilling confidence in others to help save someone else's life.

American Heart Month also includes the American Heart Association's national "Wear Red Day" on Feb. 2 through the "Go Red for Women" initiative. To read more, click here.

To read more about American Heart Month and ways to get involved, click here.

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