RICHLAND COUNTY, OH - February is proclaimed as American Heart Month.

Cardiovascular disease still tops the list of causes of death in the United States. Richland County (including the City of Shelby) also shows heart disease as the number one killer, according to Richland Public Health.

In 2017, coronary heart disease caused 442 deaths, representing 35% of deaths in Richland County. That number has gone down 4% in the last two years.

Close to 50% of adults in Richland County suffer from high blood pressure. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, or death. 

Richland Public Health wants to encourage citizens to talk with their doctor about their heart health. All libraries in Richland County are also equipped with blood pressure kits that residents are free to use. This program is a project of Richland Public Health's Communities Preventing Chronic Diseases Project.

You can reduce your risk factors by limiting salt intake, eating a healthy diet, and exercising more.

It's also crucial to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke and know how to respond quickly if warning signs occur.

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

• Chest Discomfort
• Upper Body Discomfort (arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach)
• Shortness of Breath
• Cold Sweats, Nausea, or Light-Headedness

Stroke Warning Signs:

• Sudden Numbness or Weakness of the Face, Arm, or Leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden headache with no known cause

If you recognize one or more of these signs, immediately call 911.