February is heart health month and HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital has several tips to help prevent heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and simple choices such as eating better and getting a little more exercise can greatly reduce your risks of developing heart problems.

Sheli Evans, Emergency Department Manager at HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital highlighted some of the avoidable risk factors for heart disease, and said a little exercise can go a long way.

Other things that can drastically reduce someones chances of developing heart health problems include quitting smoking, and healthier eating habits. Evans said when it comes to a better diet, it’s better to make better eating choices slowly, rather than trying to change your diet all at once.

Evans said if you think you’re experiencing a heart attack, the best thing you can do is get to a hospital as soon as you can, and warned against waiting to see if you feel better later.