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Every February since 1964, the president of the United States has declared the month to be American Heart Month, an opportunity to focus on heart health and remember loved ones lost to heart disease.

According to the American Heart Association, at the time of that initial declaration by President Lyndon B. Johnson, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease.

According to the Heart Association, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Americans and claims more lives in the country than all other forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined.

It is fueled by ongoing increases in high blood pressure, obesity and other risk factors.

The Heart Association states nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and more than 72% of U.S. adults have an unhealthy weight. On top of those statistics, more than half of U.S. adults have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

What can be done to change those numbers?

The Heart Association says people can reduce some risk factors for heart disease by not smoking, exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep and being at a healthy weight.

It is also important to keep cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar at healthy levels.

People must take steps to stay physically active and maintain a healthy body weight by eating a well-balanced diet and abstaining from tobacco products, the declaration adds.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises even little changes such as using spices to season foods instead of salt or motivating teachers and administrators to make physical activity a key part of the school day as a few examples of things you can do.

The Department of Health and Human Services outlines the importance of physical exercise and gives information on how much activity adults and children should be getting.

The guidelines recommend adults get at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activity per week, while children ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.

We encourage you to take little steps each day and recommit to a healthier lifestyle — not only for you but for your loved ones, as well.