Across Canada, February is recognized as Heart and Stroke Month. The initiative was started by the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation in efforts to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health, and how each of us can do our part to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults and is the second leading cause of death in Canada. 

Travis Berger is a local Cochronite and Cardiac ICU Nurse at the Foothills Hospital, and he says that lifestyle choices are crucial to maintaining healthy cardiovascular health.

He says "Eating healthy, being physically active and really controlling your blood pressure is so important, and also maintaining a good healthy balanced diet according to the Canadian Food Guide."

Berger says that beyond healthy choices, cardiovascular disease is also influenced by largely by genetics. He says that people that have a history of heart disease and stroke need to take even more proactive measures in terms od a healthy diet, exercise and annual check-ups.

Berger says that the risk of a heart attack becomes elevated for both males and females within a certain age bracket, and other high-risk factors are people who smoke or have diabetes. He says "The average is 72 for women to have their first heart attack and heart disease is responsible for one-third of deaths, and men between the ages of 45-84 are at a greater risk of developing heart disease. Again, genetics increase those odds, and people who smoke or have diabetes are also at a greater risk."

Berger says that the ability to recognize the symptoms can help to save a life. He says "Signs of having a stroke would be sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs. It often comes with confusion, trouble speaking and sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes. With heart disease usually chest pain or shortness of breath is an indicator. It is also often a pain in the limbs, it could be the left or right arm and then radiates to the heart."

Berger says that the primary prevention for heart and stroke ailments is to be smoke-free, remain active, control hypertension and focus on a healthy, balanced diet. He says that it's extremely important for diabetics to make sure that their blood sugars are controlled properly and to make annual doctor appointments a priority.