American Heart Month: Heart Health Tips, Prevention, and Care

Every February, American Heart Month offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and take action when it comes to cardiovascular health. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart disease remains the leading cause of death not only in West Virginia, but in the United States. Prevention, early detection, and access to expert care can make a meaningful difference. Many forms of heart disease are preventable, and even modest, sustained lifestyle changes can significantly reduce long-term risk.

According to Alison L. Bailey, MD, vice chief of Cardiology at the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute, protecting heart health begins with practical steps that are within reach for most adults.

Everyday Steps That Protect Your Heart

“Anything you do that moves your body counts,” Dr. Bailey emphasizes. Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for reducing cardiovascular risk and should include both aerobic exercise and resistance training.

Bailey also points to nutrition as a cornerstone of prevention. A heart-healthy diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, lean sources of protein, and whole grains, with limited saturated fat and highly processed foods. These choices encourage healthier cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight over time.

Equally important but often overlooked are sleep and tobacco exposure. Adults should aim to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night, as inadequate sleep is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

When it comes to tobacco, Bailey is direct: “There is no safe level of tobacco exposure when it comes to heart disease, including all forms of tobacco, all of the time.”

Knowing Your Numbers: Why They Matter

Many of the strongest risk factors for heart disease develop silently, without obvious symptoms. Bailey stresses the importance of understanding and regularly monitoring key health numbers:

• Blood pressure: Optimal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms and should be checked routinely while at rest.
• LDL cholesterol: When it comes to cardiovascular disease, lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is better. Individual targets vary and should be discussed with a care team.
• Blood sugar: A fasting blood sugar below 100 mg/dL is normal. Levels between 100–125 mg/dL indicate prediabetes, which often progresses without intervention. A reading of 126 mg/dL or higher is consistent with diabetes.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference: Over 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, which increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. A BMI under 25 is considered optimal, while excess abdominal weight further raises risk.

“Knowing your numbers and working to improve them can significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease,” Bailey notes.

Women and Heart Disease: A Critical Conversation

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in West Virginia and across the country, yet it is still widely misunderstood. According to the American Heart Association, one in three women will die from heart disease, and nearly 45 percent of adult women are currently living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease in women often includes a range of conditions, including atherosclerosis (heart attacks and strokes), hypertension, and heart failure. Symptoms may be more subtle than those typically seen in men, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Bailey is particularly passionate about the connection between heart health and pregnancy. “Less than half of women in the U.S. enter pregnancy with good heart health,” she explains.

Between 10 to 20 percent of women experience a cardiovascular issue during pregnancy, and cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in new mothers, accounting for nearly one-third of all maternal deaths. Black women are disproportionately affected.

Pregnancy can act as a cardiovascular stress test, revealing underlying risk that may otherwise go unnoticed. Conditions such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery are important warning signs that warrant long-term follow-up and heart health monitoring.

Practical Heart Health Tips for Women

Given how common heart disease is among women, Dr. Bailey encourages women to be proactive about prevention:

• Aim for physical activity every day. For example, 10,000 steps is a great daily goal.
• Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, fiber-rich whole grains, and low in processed foods.
• Monitor both weight and waist circumference, as elevated BMI (over 25) and waist size (over 35 inches for women) are linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
• Know your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
• Avoid all tobacco exposure.
• Prioritize quality sleep.

These steps not only reduce heart disease risk but can also improve energy, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Strengthening Heart Care Across West Virginia

Through prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment, the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute supports patients at every stage of their heart health journey, delivering world-class cardiovascular care grounded in research, innovation, and clinical expertise.

The addition of experienced leaders like Dr. Bailey further strengthens a comprehensive, team-based approach to cardiovascular care. The WVU Heart & Vascular Institute is expanding access to highly specialized services, advancing women’s heart health and pregnancy-related cardiovascular care, and addressing the unique needs of rural and underserved communities across West Virginia and the other communities we serve.

This American Heart Month, taking a single step to learn your numbers, become more active, or address risk factors can have lasting benefits. At the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute, patients benefit from advanced cardiovascular expertise and specialized care designed to address complex needs and improve outcomes. To learn more about heart care services or to take the next step in your heart health, consider scheduling an appointment with a heart care provider.