USA Today: How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

For more than a century, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But over half of Americans don’t know this, polling shows.

Government agencies and other health groups hope to draw attention to the deadly problem in February, which is American Heart Month. Over 700,000 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, or about a fifth of all deaths.

USA Today talked with Dr. James O’Keefe, the director of preventive cardiology at the Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, about five steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Read their conversation at You're about to hear more about America's top killer: How to reduce your risk.

Related Content

Feb. 23, 2024

Health News You Can Use: Heart Disease Prevention and Longevity
During Heart Month, we talk about why prevention is key and exciting new research that reveals there may be a new way to help slow aging and lengthen our lifespan.
Better Kansas City. Dr. Tracy Stevens talking to Belinda Post on Better Kansas City.
Feb. 10, 2020

Better Kansas City: Preventing heart disease in women
Heart disease claims more women's lives each year than all cancers combined, yet it is 95% preventable. Dr. Tracy Stevens shares what steps women can take to reduce their risk on Better Kansas City.
Jul. 29, 2021

Health News You Can Use: Heart disease & diabetes deaths climb amid pandemic and Saint Luke's Cardiometabolic approach
Over the pandemic, heart disease and diabetes deaths increased significantly. Recent data from the CDC shows these death rates saw the biggest jumps in at least two decades.