 February is recognized as American Heart Month, which works to raise awareness about the number one killer of Americans, heart disease. I spoke with Public Health Director Tammy Riley to learn more. According to latest information from the CDC, heart disease is the number one killer for both men and women, most ethnic groups in the United States. One person every 33 seconds in America dies from heart disease. So it's a very serious issue. Here in Pot County, our numbers of death rates due to heart disease is more than double in comparison to the state's lowest number in the nation, which is Minnesota. It's much higher than the state average as well. So it's a local issue, a statewide issue, and a national issue. At Audiology Associates of Prestonsburg, you can live your life the way you want and find the freedom of better hearing. With 40 years of being in the hearing care industry, you'll experience patient care that is specific to you with exceptional follow-up care that ensures your hearing and balance needs are being met. Audiology Associates at 1428 Northlake Drive in Prestonsburg. Risk factors for heart disease include obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inactivity. The Pike County Health Department is hosting a clinic each Monday in February to address those concerns. We're open on Mondays, 8 to 4.30. No appointments necessary. Individuals in Pike County can just walk in, see the clinic nurse, ask if to have their blood pressure checked, and our clinic nurses are professional. They're informed. They will check the blood pressure, talk to the individual about what their concerns might be for their risk factors, and they're also very knowledgeable about referrals, where to send the individuals what the resources are in the community. And if you're out there and you're underinsured or uninsured, the local health department is a perfect first stop to addressing your risk factors and managing your health. For more information, go to Pike County Health Department on Facebook. Reporting for Mountain Top News, I'm Breanna Robinson.