The heart is a familiar symbol of love, but the diseases of the organ can kill. February is Heart Health Month, and we invited our heart expert Dr. Andrew Kates, professor of medicine and cardiologist with the Washington University Heart Care Institute at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, back on the program to help explain the matters of the heart.

On Wednesday’s St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh talked to Kates to discuss new developments in heart health research and answer questions about the heart.

Heart disease is the largest killer of American men and women, outpacing all types of cancer, COPD and lung disease as a cause of death in the United States. More women die of heart disease than men do each year.

To learn how to reduce your risk of heart disease, visit barnesjewish.org/heart or call (855)-45-HEART.

Kates discussed advancements in treatment, diet and lifestyle changes as well as other topics relating to heart health on Wednesday’s program. You can listen in here:

Know your risk factors:

• Age
• Obesity
• Family history
• Genes
• Hypertension
• Tobacco use

How to prevent:

• Have balanced diet
• Start evaluating heart during late teens
• Check blood pressure annually
• Monitor blood pressure at home, not just when going to doctor

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Lara Hamdan give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.

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