JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. 

One in 5 people in America die from heart-related diseases every year.

First Coast News is On Your Side with tips and recommendations from a cardiologist with more than 30 years of experience treating people with heart disease.    

For more than three decades, Dr. Ramon Castello has studied the human heart; and yes, chest pains and radiating pain on the left side of the body are common signs of heart attacks.

“However, we have learned over the years that this is something that applies to a few people,” said Castello. “It can be deceiving because you can have jaw pain, you may have stomach pain.”

Castello is a cardiologist at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital and said that women often have different symptoms than men when it comes to heart disease.

“A lot of women tend to blow off their symptoms because they’re not the classic symptoms, but anything that causes shortness of breath is important,” said Castello.

Long before you wind up inside of an operating room, Castello said simple lifestyle choices like diet and exercise are important; and so is one key factor.

“It’s important to mitigate stress because stressful situations can lead to overeating, high blood pressure and arrhythmia,” said Castello.

As for exercise, the American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, which equals about 20 minutes per day. 

“Brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling are all important ways to do it,” said Castello.

And to answer a question that many people are probably thinking, yes, Castello said eating big, juicy steaks is fine, but like everything, it should be done in moderation. 

He also said regular annual physicals with your doctor are a great way to ensure your blood pressure and cholesterol are in check.