It's February and time once again to celebrate National Heart Month. Not only is it the season of love but also a time to learn about the dangers of heart disease. Here are some educational tips to help you celebrate National Heart Month.

• Being heart smart means knowing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your blood pressure, waist size and body mass index are also major factors in determining your heart health. If you haven't had a check up with your personal physician in a while, now would be a good time to schedule an appointment.
• Smoking is a definitely a factor when determining the health of your heart. Studies have shown that smoking can not only cause respiratory problems and lung cancer, it's also a major cause of heart disease. If you smoke, whether it's habitually or socially, you may want to use National Heart Month as a reason to quit.
• Exercise, along with healthy eating are probably the two most important things you can do for your heart. Even if you start with a brisk walk every morning or evening and make efforts to reduce sugar and fat from your diet, you'll be well on your way to a healthier you.
• Stress is also a major factor.  It's almost impossible to eliminate all stress from our lives. However, stress has been shown as being the root cause of so many ailments that affect us today. Whether you pray or meditate, read or write...you need to find an outlet to help reduce your stress levels.

Blackhawk Healthcare is an owner and operator of small community and Critical Access Hospitals. Our desire is to acquire hospitals in selected markets and operate those as sole owner, in a joint venture, or under a long-term lease. Blackhawk now owns and operates Hospitals in Rockdale, TX, Bastrop, TX and Mangum, OK.

We are networking multiple rural hospitals together, developing relationships and assembling teams that benefit both patients and providers. These partnerships provide access to the tools and resources needed to continually improve healthcare quality and retain medical professionals. Long-term strategies that enhance the economic viability of the network hospitals will evoke respect and trust from the board, physicians, medical staff and community.

We are passionately dedicated to the uniqueness of rural healthcare and improving the community by bringing the resources required to meet the broader needs of each "hometown" we touch. Blackhawk is inspired to provide excellence in service and deliver modern facilities that convey trust, confidence and healing.