February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, many of us in the Metro Washington, D.C., area either struggle with heart disease or know someone who has had a heart disease or a stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and heart conditions also are a leading cause of disabilities which prevent people from being able to work. Cardiovascular disease is also very expensive; heart disease and stroke cost the country more than $444 billion in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some people who suffer from heart disease should qualify for Social Security disability. The main issue that should determine whether you qualify for benefits is whether your heart disease prevents you from being able to work. In order to qualify to receive benefits, you will need to have the medical reason for your inability to work identified, and you must be able to describe specific ways that your ability to work has been limited by your cardiac condition. Furthermore, you will need to prove that you cannot perform any work on a sustained basis, as opposed to not being able to perform the type of work to which you are accustomed.

This month, the Department of Health and Human Services is continuing its Million Hearts initiative that it launched in 2011. The campaign has a goal to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

The Million Hearts initiative is publicizing the following prevention tips during American Heart Month:

• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes almost every day.

• Ask your doctor about taking Aspirin and checking your blood pressure and cholesterol.

• If you smoke, seek help to quit.

• Consume a heart-healthy diet, high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans-fat.

• Follow your doctor's prescription instructions regarding your heart health.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Be One in a Million this American Heart Month," Jan. 30, 2012