Valentine’s Day is the reason most people associate February with hearts, but the entire month is designated as National Heart Month.

In 1963, the federal government specified February as National Heart Month. The intent was to increase public awareness of the importance of cardiovascular health.

Drawing attention to this subject is just as important today as it was nearly four decades ago. Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is America’s leading killer, responsible for 41 percent of deaths nationwide. According to the American Heart Association, CVD kills more people each year than the next sixteen causes of death combined, including cancer.

Though college students do not see CVD as an immediate concern, the consequences of lifestyle choices made in early adulthood affect cardiac health later in life.

Dr. Jerome D. Cohen, professor of internal medicine in the division of cardiology at Saint Louis University Medical School, stresses the importance of healthy lifestyles.

Cohen stated, “The message about the controllable factors linked to heart disease cannot be overemphasized.”

Cohen lists three important guidelines to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular problems: Do not smoke, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. These sound familiar, but college students often forget or ignore them.

It is no secret that smoking is detrimental to one’s overall health. Smoking contributes to a variety of problems, such as lung cancer, but the number one disease associated with cigarette smoking is CVD. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers have twice the risk of developing heart problems. Quitting smoking significantly reduces this risk.

Another factor that reduces the risk of CVD is a healthy diet.

It is important to eat foods low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. Too much of these causes narrowing of blood vessels, provoking heart attacks.

Maintaining a healthy diet might seem especially difficult for students living on campus, but eating well is possible. Cohen recommends avoiding fried, greasy foods and whole milk products. Opt for meals of fruits, vegetables, bread, and poultry. This even includes pizza, preferably with vegetables and not too much cheese.

Cohen said an added benefit is “students who eat well, over time, seem to do better academically.”

The third component of a healthy lifestyle that minimizes CVD risk is exercise.

Cohen suggests at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week.

Not only is this beneficial for the cardiovascular system, but it helps people sleep better and feel more rested.

Cohen stated, “If we apply all we know about the preventable and treatable risk factors for heart disease, we can substantially reduce our country’s number one killer.”