February is American Heart Month and according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Most adults have at least one risk factor for heart disease. These risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and being overweight. Having multiple risk factors further increases your risk of developing heart disease. “Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the U.S., and that’s why the preventive aspects of cardiology are most gratifying to me,” said Dr. Calvin Madrigal, partner cardiologist of Excelsior Springs Hospital. “I enjoy helping patients assess their risk factors for coronary artery disease and helping them prevent or reduce their risk of having a heart attack.” Most don’t associate heart health with selfcare, but including hearthealth- conscious choices in your self-care routines helps you get the most out of your self-care. Devoting a…