This post is written by JoAnne M. Foody, MD, FACC, editor of CardioSmart.org and medical director of the Cardiovascular Wellness Center and Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

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American Heart Month provides us with an opportunity to build awareness of the number one killer in the U.S. Throughout the month of February, CardioSmart^TM, the ACC’s nation-wide health initiative to improve heart health, will be working with its partners to bring awareness of the importance of prevention and disease management.

In a statement released Feb. 1 by the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explained, “each year, countless American families are impacted by heart disease and stroke. Although its risk factors can be prevented or controlled, it is still the leading cause of death for all Americans and accounts for $1 out of every $6 spent on health care.”

CardioSmart launched in 2008, under the leadership of former ACC President Alfred Bove, MD, MACC, and his “Year of the Patient.” CardioSmart is working to empower patients to take ownership of their lifestyle choices and medical decisions through everyday strategies for heart health and education on the daily choices that impact health and wellness such as diet, exercise, smoking and medication adherence. The goal of the initiative is also to facilitate patient-provider partnerships to ultimately improve outcomes of cardiovascular care.

The ACC and CardioSmart have several activities planned for the month, including participation in partner activities like the NHLBI’s Red Dress Fashion Show in NYC and regional Coca-Cola Live Positively events. Social Media efforts will also play an important role in education and awareness. The ACC and CardioSmart will be offering heart-healthy tips throughout the month through their Facebook and Twitter pages. The ACC and CardioSmart will also be participating in the NHLBI's The Heart Truth Twitter chat about heart health today at 1 p.m. ET. To participate as an individual, use the hashtag #HeartChat.

Throughout the month of February, for each "like" the CardioSmart fan page receives on Facebook, CardioSmart, courtesy of its sponsors, will donate $1 to Mended Little Hearts, and Coca-Cola Live Positively will match each CardioSmart dollar. Click here to learn more.

We hope you will take part in American Heart Month as an individual either by participating in regional awareness events or engaging with us on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information, visit the Heart Month page on CardioSmart.org for tools and tips for patients including a Heart Month Tip of the Week and follow @CardioSmart and @ACCinTouch on Twitter and “like” CardioSmart and American College of Cardiology on Facebook.