February is American Heart Month!

The New York State Department of Healthestimates that over 1.2 million New Yorkers have cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the state. This February, support heart health by taking time to remind patients, staff, and yourself about healthy heart lifestyles. The American Heart Associationcontinues to recommend healthier eating habits for all Americans. You can learn more about healthier food choices and food is medicine initiatives from the AHA here, and explore recipes, grocery shopping tips, and more from the American Stroke Association.

Heart health is a lifelong journey, and it's never too early for kids to start learning about healthier food choices. The FDA has resourcesfor children, parents, and health educators for reading Nutrition Facts labels, and understanding how our food choices affect our bodies. No matter how old you are, February is a great time to read the label! Happy American Heart Month!