February isn’t just about heart-shaped chocolate candy and red rose bouquets for Valentine’s Day, it also happens to be American Heart Month.

In the United States, one in three women die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. What’s even more surprising is heart disease happens to be the number one killer for both women and men.

Those statistics shouldn’t be ignored.

Heart disease can take many forms, including creating heart valve problems, heart failure and arrhythmia, according to the association’s website.

Thanks to modern medicine, there are many ways people can prevent heart disease, and it all comes down to living a healthier lifestyle.

The association’s website lists several ways women and men can prevent heart disease, which includes exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, quitting smoking, managing blood pressure and becoming aware of a family history of heart disease.

Just by watching one’s diet and carving out a couple of minutes a day for exercise, a person can lower their chance of heart disease.

Not only is physical health important, it’s also equally important to monitor mental health.

Often, stress has been linked to heart disease, especially in women. The association reports that women often develop stress from the workplace and can reduce this stress by taking breaks, practicing effective time management, focusing on one task at a time and making realistic expectations.

It’s truly amazing how the mind is able to create physical health ailments, which is why it’s so important to also find peace of mind in order to really live a healthy lifestyle.

If someone is experiencing heart problems or thinks they may be at risk for heart disease, see a doctor, the association recommends.