February is American Heart Month. This annual observance reminds us that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but that there are steps we can take to reduce our risk.

Use these resources to help you and your loved ones live healthier lives:

• Women’s Heart Health – Order Free Publications – Learn the signs of a heart attack in women; understand “good” and “bad” cholesterol; and identify high blood pressure.
• Calculate Your Risk – Enter basic information about yourself, including your most recent cholesterol levels, to determine your 10-year risk of having a heart attack.
• Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack – Know the indications of a heart attack so that you can act quickly if you or a loved one is in trouble.
• Tips for Preventing Heart Disease – Learn the “ABCs” of staying heart healthy: aspirin therapy, blood pressure control, cholesterol management and smoking cessation.

High blood pressure is dangerous and often without symptoms, and increases in blood pressure can put you at risk for heart disease. Use these tips to avoid health complications as a result of high blood pressure.

People who watch two or more hours of TV a day are much more likely to have severe health problems than people who do not, according to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health that analyzed data from the past 30 years.

Too much TV is linked to:

• a 20 percent increase in diabetes
• a 15 percent increase in cardiovascular diseases
• a 13 percent increase in death by any cause.

A key reason is that TV time is often spent sitting and eating unhealthy food instead of exercising.

Replacing TV with other common activities can make a big difference to your health.

Use these suggestions from the National Institutes of Health to find ideas of what you can do instead of watching TV.