Dr. Timothy Byrne

[Submitted photo]

Heart disease still ranks as the No. 1 killer in the United States, and Abrazo Health, which operates Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear, will mark National Heart Month in February with weekly email tips to inspire and empower individuals to commit to a healthy heart in 2021.

Making a few lifestyle adjustments can have a powerful effect on heart health, the announced in a release. In four weekly emails, residents can receive information, recipes and do-at-home exercises that can benefit them all year long. Register for the emails by visiting abrazohealth.com/heartmonth.

Each year, more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physicians from Abrazo Health are reminding the public that proactive measures for maintaining health are especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: Abrazo announces free womens heart health webinars

The start of a new year is the perfect time to commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle. There are some simple steps that anyone can take to control the effects of cardiovascular conditions, or avoid them altogether. Among them are a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, daily exercise, a smoke-free lifestyle and techniques for managing stress.

Taking charge of your health in this way can not only help you live longer, but also better, said Dr. Timothy Byrne, medical director of cardiac services at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital.

Our message is your heart health cant wait, Dr. Byrne said in a prepared statement. Many people have become more sedentary or reluctant to prioritize proper nutrition, fitness and preventive care during the pandemic, but it is important that we not neglect our health.

Abrazo Health offers a free heart health assessment, heart condition descriptions, heart disease risk factor information and healthy living tips on its website, abrazohealth.com

Delaying heart care could lead to significant complications for those with cardiovascular conditions not just those needing emergency care, but also for people who postpone routine health screenings.

A heart healthy lifestyle starts with maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and keeping up with preventive care visits with your doctor to assess and manage risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol, Dr. Byrne said.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, unusual heartbeats and swelling of the arms or legs are all symptoms of heart disease. Anyone feeling chest pain should not delay medical care, he noted.

In an emergency, call 911 for first responders to assess the problem and provide transport to an ER. For a referral to an Abrazo cardiologist, visit abrazohealth.com/find-a-doctor.

In addition to its Goodyear campus, Abrazo Health operates Abrazo Buckeye Emergency Center in Buckeye, MedPost Urgent Care Center in Litchfield Park, and a host of hospitals, freestanding emergency centers, urgent care, primary care and specialty physician practices across the Valley.

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Residents can sign up to receive heart health tips from Abrazo Health - Your Valley