Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, killing one person every 34 seconds. However, there are simple lifestyle changes that can help you build a strong heart.

February is not only about flowers and chocolate, but it is also American Heart Month. Ivanhoe has the heart health myths you should know to protect your heart this Valentine's.

Friday is National Wear Red Day, the signature day of the American Heart Association to raise awareness around heart disease and women’s health. Christina Clohecy, CFO at Web.com Group and Chair of the 2021 Go Red for Women campaign for the First Coast American Heart Association, said the goal is to bring great attention to leading cause of death for Americans -- both men and women. “Each year the nation comes together to ignite a wave of red from coast to coast from landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities -- that’s the entire goal for the month of February, which the American Heart Association has dubbed Heart Month every year since 1964,” Clohecy said. “In particular, they put a special emphasis on women’s health since heart disease is often believed to be strictly a man’s disease. She said another misconception is that only the elderly should be concerned about heart disease.

“And almost being 60, it seems like I’ve got my youthful vigor back.”But that return to youth didn’t happen overnight. In 2002, Arce had a heart attack at age 41. In November 2013, Arce had a second heart attack at age 52. Right after his second heart attack, Arce had a quadruple bypass. “He said, ‘Ed, if you don’t change your lifestyle, in 5 years, you’re going to be dead,’” Arce said.