February is Heart Health Month, an ideal time to reflect on our daily habits and take meaningful steps toward a healthier future.

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death across all racial and ethnic groups in the United States and Texas, accounting for approximately one in five deaths. The good news? Research indicates that nearly 80 percent of these deaths are preventable through simple lifestyle changes. By making informed choices, you can significantly reduce your risk and empower others to do the same.

Recommendations to promote awareness of risk factors include:

• Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Get regular health screenings and check-ups for early detection.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Exercise.
• Stop smoking.
• Manage stress levels.
• Collaborate with your doctor.

Regardless of your age, prioritizing heart health can lead to long-term benefits, improving both your quality of life and overall well-being. Medical Center Health System has several community resources for West Texans.

The MCH Center for Heart Disease offers complete cardiovascular services program for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of heart disease. Treatment is offered for cardiac care as well as stroke services.

The ProCare Odessa Heart Institute offers a wide range of clinic and hospital-based services. Services include general cardiology, disease management, pacemaker and defibrillator implants, interventional cardiology, treatment of peripheral vascular disease and imaging and diagnostic studies. The institute has two clinics to serve West Texans.

Medical Center Hospital offers complete cardiac care. To learn more, please call the ProCare Odessa Heart Institute at (432) 337-3117 or the MCH Center for Heart Disease at (432) 640-2328.

Learn to recognize the signs of a heart attack. Early intervention is critical. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning sensation or pain in the center of the chest.
• Discomfort may last for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, or light-headedness.