February has long gained fame as a month to celebrate the heart in two completely different spheres. Of course, there’s the metaphoric heart captured on Valentine’s cards designed to conjure up feelings of happiness, romance and love.

Contrast that with the very serious — sometimes deadly serious — business of the American Heart Association in drawing much-needed awareness to the human heart and the diseases that so often attack that life-giving organ in our region, state, nation and world.

Yes, cardiovascular disease rises as the most common and most destructive killer among us — bar none.

Together, heart disease and related strokes account for more than one-quarter of all deaths in the U.S. annually, according to the AHA’s new report “2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.”

Those 915,973 deaths for all types of heart disease in 2023 outkilled the No. 2 and No.3 causes — cancer and accidents — combined. In fact, according to the 2026 report, someone in America dies of a cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds.

No region of the nation is immune from the wrath of the pernicious killer. In the Mahoning Valley, the insidious invaders of the indispensable muscular organ attack with above-average ferocity.

Statewide, the number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases per 100,000 people stands at 195.8, slightly below the national average. But that rate jumps significantly in Mahoning (232.6), Trumbull (229.9) and Columbiana (210.5) counties. All told, 1,903 Valley residents died from heart disease in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available from the Ohio Department of Health.

But that’s not the extent of the troubling news. Consider these disturbing new trends reported last month by the AHA:

● Since 2020, the number of Americans with high blood pressure — often a precursor to heart disease — has grown from 122 million to 126 million.

● The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has ballooned by 200,000 additional cases per year since 2020, and only 43% of those receiving treatment have their conditions reasonably under control

● Obesity — another prime warning sign for heart disease — among young people under 19 has increased in recent years from 25% to 28% of that population.

Clearly, all of those trend lines point in the wrong direction. But despite those dreary and disconcerting drifts, some silver linings have been moving in. In its new report, the AHA notes declines — albeit relatively slim — in the total number of cardiovascular deaths, falling from 941,652 in 2022 to 915,973 in 2023. Rates for coronary heart disease and strokes also show similar reductions.

Leading the fight for improved heart health for the past century, of course, has been the American Heart Association. We in Northeast Ohio and the Mahoning Valley are blessed with a particularly strong, active and productive chapter. The chapter has led and continues to lead the way in CPR training, heart-health awareness, health equity for all and robust community partnerships, such as with One Health Ohio.

It has installed convenient blood pressure monitoring hubs in public libraries, gyms and other venues in the region. It sponsors many fundraising and community awareness campaigns as well.

Currently, a group of dedicated high-energy heart-healthy advocates have been nominated for 2026 Northeast Ohio Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact awards. They are working tirelessly over the next several weeks to raise funds to help fight cardiovascular diseases and to broaden awareness of heart-healthy lifestyles. Katelyn Amendolara-Russo, director of the Medici Museum of Art in Howland, is in the running for the Woman of Impact honors. Teens Bridget Borchardt of Crestview High School, Hudson Moser of Canfield High School and Katie Zook of Niles McKinley High School are among the nominees for the teen honors.

The month will conclude Feb. 28 with the spectacular Heart of Tri-County Heart Ball at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield, our AHA chapter’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Though registration for the gala and auction has closed, donations to the campaign can still be made by Googling 2025-2026 Tri-county Heart Ball and selecting the “Make A Donation” tab.

Clearly, the work of AHA merits widespread community support. Though it has achieved great success in reducing the scope of heart disease over the decades, challenges and more work remain. Part of that work must be broadening the scope of its vital outreach and educational campaigns on adopting hearty lifestyles.

Central to that outreach is its Life Essential 8 program that involves eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying active (150+ minutes per week), quitting nicotine, sleeping seven to nine hours nightly, managing weight and controlling cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

All of us have a role to play in following those scientifically proven practices to minimize risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Commit to any or all of them today to improve your vitality. In so doing, you’ll also advance the heart association’s noble and needed mission “to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”