The nation recognized February as American Heart Month, but for my colleague, cardiologist Dr. Georges Chahoud, every month is “Heart Month.” Dr. Chahoud is with SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group in Lake Saint Louis and on staff at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West.

The American Heart Association estimates that every 25 seconds someone in our country has a coronary event, and every minute one person dies as a result. But you don’t have to experience a medical emergency to have heart disease, Dr. Chahoud says.

“Lifestyle choices really, truly make a difference, but so many people continue their unhealthy habits and then seem surprised when they’re diagnosed with coronary artery disease or some other form of cardiovascular disease,” he says. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use and secondhand smoke are all risk factors associated with heart disease.

No one is perfect, and we all face some temptations – like all that Valentine’s chocolate. “It’s your overall pattern of behavior that matters most,” Dr. Chahoud says. Are you living a heart-healthy lifestyle most of the time?

It starts with diet and exercise, as I’m sure you’ve heard before. This doesn’t mean you have to swear off steak or sweets, but think about how often and how much unhealthy food you consume. On most days, focus your diet on lean proteins, low-fat dairy products and fresh produce. Saturated fats (those that are solid at room temperature), trans-fats (those found in many processed and baked goods), cholesterol and salt undermine your cardiovascular health.

As for alcohol, the jury’s still out. “It depends on which study you look at,” Dr. Chahoud says. “In general, we believe that red wine could have some cardiovascular benefits, but alcohol raises other health risks, so I advise that even red wine be consumed in moderation – no more than a glass a day for women and two for men.”

As for exercise, recent research indicates that there are significant health benefits associated with just a half hour of brisk walking five times a week. Consider this 30 minutes of “me time.” Use the time to think, plan, daydream, or listen to your favorite music or audio book. And while you’re enjoying this half-hour break from work and chores, your blood will be pumping, your muscles will be toning and your brain will be releasing feel-good endorphins.

Even if you eat a model diet and exercise every day, smoking will undermine your efforts. “Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance and increases the tendency for blood to clot, so it’s very bad for the cardiovascular system,” Dr. Chahoud says. “And secondhand smoke has been found to be dangerous, too.”

Talk to your primary-care physician about your heart disease risk and get the proper tests and screenings to help monitor your cardiovascular condition. Don’t assume you can wait another day to start taking care of your heart. Make every month “Heart Month.”