If there was one thing that was killing more Americans each year than anything else, wouldn't you do anything to stop it?

ROCKLEDGE, FL - Heart disease kills more Americans each year than any thing else! What's more, heart disease is one of the easiest diseases to fight. Simple changes to diet and exercise, and better awareness are all it takes to drastically increase your chances of survival.

February is Heart Awareness Month, and Health First is launching a major, month-long initiative to increase Brevard County's odds against heart disease. Eight public lectures on critical, life-saving topics will be presented on several dates, including February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. Holmes Regional Medical Center will be sending experts to local schools to educate young children on how to stay heart healthy. A day-long continuing educational summit, offering teachings on the latest treatments to health care providers, will be held February 5th.

In addition, Holmes Regional Medical Center will be providing expanded selections of heart healthy items in the cafeteria for the entire month.

"As Brevard County's largest provider of hospital services, too often we see the effects of heart disease after it has taken hold. February, as Heart Awareness Month, provides a chance to break that hold before an unplanned trip to the emergency room," said Mike Means, president/CEO of Health First. "On behalf of each and every Health First associate who works every day to improve the health of our community, I urge everyone to use this month to complete a checkup on their own heart, and make the changes necessary to improve their health."

Schedule of public health lectures:

February 3

11 am - noon - "You CAN decrease your risk for coronary heart disease." Presented by Enrique Polanco, MD, Board-certified Cardiologist with MIMA

Noon to 1pm - "Aquapheresis - filtering excess fluid from congestive heart failure patients." Presented by Ralph Vicari, MD, Board-certified Cardiologist with MIMA

February 10

11 am - noon - "Hole in your heart could be causing your headache." Presented by Charles Croft, MD, Board-certified Independent Cardiologist

Noon to 1 pm - "Treating life threatening ballooning, bulging, or bleeding abdominal disease." Presented by Fuad Ramadan, MD, Board-certified Independent Vascular Surgeon

February 17

11 am - noon - "Sex after heart attack." Presented by Eileen Voeple-Kepner, Ph.D., ARNP-C with Medical Associates of Brevard

Noon - 1 pm - "Treating heart disease-related erectile dysfunction." Presented by Norberto Schectmann, MD, Board-certified Cardiologist with MIMA

February 24

11 am - noon - "Venus vs. Mars. How heart disease in women differs from men." Presented by James Ronaldson, MD, Board-certified Cardiologist with MIMA

Noon to 1 pm - "Timely access to life saving treatment for heart attack." Presented by Cesar Jara, MD, Board-certified Cardiologist with Osler

Free blood pressure screenings will be provided from 10:30 to 11 am each lecture day.

The day-long continuing education summit will be held February 5, 2010 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Holiday Inn, Melbourne/Viera at 8298 North Wickham Road. This will be an opportunity for health care providers to learn the latest treatments for heart disease while earning continuing education credits.

In addition, Health First associates will be visiting elementary school students at several locations throughout the month of February. (Dates and times are not yet finalized).

During the entire month of February, Health First urges all members of our community to learn about heart disease, and take the simple steps required to increase their heart health.