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SYLVESTER, GA -- February is American Heart Month, and Southwest Georgia health officials are encouraging folks to be heart healthy.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Georgia. David Cooper is with the Worth County Health Department. “Georgia actually is 9% higher than the national average with heart disease death and South Georgia has a higher death rate than North Georgia,” says Cooper.

And while there are several factors that contribute to the disease, officials have an idea of why it is so prominent in this region. “Some could be genetics but a lot of risk factors are diet, which we don't like to hear about in South Georgia,” says Cooper.

Other factors include tobacco use and lack of exercise. Southwest Georgian Gloria Stewart agrees, and say the way we live, can ruin our lives. “It’s the lifestyle that ruins everything for most people that have heart disease and other diseases too; environment and the lifestyle,” says Stewart.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 1/3 of all deaths in Georgia but officials say Georgians can do positive things to lower that number.  “Move, exercise, quit using tobacco products, your diet, try to eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and reduce that salt intake,” says Cooper.

Cardiovascular disease is most common in African Americans. Health officials say regular health check-ups can help prevent folks from heart disease.