February is often associated with Valentine's Day, a holiday symbolized with cupids and hearts.

But there's one group that would like us to associate February not with paper hearts, but our own.

February is American Heart Month, which sponsored by the American Heart Association.

More than 60 million Americans a year have some type of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, congestive heart failure, hardening of the arteries or high blood pressure.

Some of these ailments are genetic, but there ways to reduce risk. Staying active, eating a diet low in salt and cholesterol and reduces stress levels all help to prevent heart-related diseases.

Locally, students be will participating in a number of fitness-related activities. The public health is offering free blood pressure screenings to county employees. Public health departments have tips and warning signs for heart health.

We encourage residents to use this month to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, as well as begin healthy eating and exercising habits.

Those measure might prevent unnecessary health complications.