EDITOR’S NOTE: “Chief’s Corner” is a regular feature in the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief Mike Brown, offering information, tips and education material on fire safety, emergency preparedness and other pertinent topics.

February is American Heart Month. Each February, the American Heart Association shines a spotlight on the number one killer of all Americans — heart disease — through a variety of awareness events.

While heart disease is a risk for all Americans, women are still at a greater risk. In fact, cardiovascular diseases cause one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.

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Over the last 10 years, AHA has made remarkable progress through its Go Red for Women Campaign; however, there is still much work to do. Nearly 1,100 women are still dying each day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control heart disease kills 600,000 people every year in the U.S. that’s one in every 4 deaths.

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If you have a family history of heart disease your risk is greater. If you have a history of high cholesterol and/or blood pressure, consult with your family doctor for preventative care steps you can take to minimize your risk.

There are some things you can do to lower that risk. Things like getting 30 to 60 minutes of activity a day, eating healthy and not smoking. Know your risk level and family history.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is partnering with Incline Village Community Hospital and Incline Village General Improvement District this month and offering free Blood Pressure Checks on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the IVCH Community Room, 880 Alder Ave., Incline Village, as well as Monday, Feb. 24, at the Incline Village Recreation Center Lobby, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, from 1:15-2:15 p.m.