1.Stress. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones (adrenaline) that increase your heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Having consistently high blood pressure will increase risk for heart disease.

Stress can also lead to heavy drinking, lack of sleep, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise, all of which will negatively affect your heart.

2. Sleep plays a vital role in our well-being, including the health of our hearts. Not getting enough sleep can raise your blood pressure and also slow down your metabolism, which can make it harder to lose weight. AHA recommends 6-8 hours per night.

3. Obesity. Being overweight is a major risk factor for heart disease. Adding less likely to have the energy to spend on heart-healthy daily exercises.

4. Reduce Alcohol. Dinking too much alcohol can significantly increase your risk for heart disease because it increases your blood pressure, increases the amount of fat in the blood (triglycerides). and increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Keep it to 1 drink of four ounces of wine, a12 ounces of beer or one-and-a-half ounces of liquor for women and 2 a day max for men.

In honor of February “Heart Health Month” take a look at your life style and make the best changes you can.