聽UR Medicine is observing American Heart Month by holding a series of community talks about ways to improve your heart health and health screenings throughout the month of February.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to understand the many ways our lifestyle choices and family history contribute to our heart health, and what we can do to minimize our chances of developing cardiovascular disease,鈥� said Cardiologist Joseph Delehanty, M.D., who leads .

The programs focus on differences in heart health for men and women, hypertension and the benefits of exercise on cardiovascular health and participants can get free blood pressure screenings:

• 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7 鈥� Christopher Montgomery, M.D., will address 鈥淪hake the Salt Habit: Why Your Blood Pressure Matters,鈥� and free screenings from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Maplewood YMCA, 25 Driving Park Ave.

• 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8 鈥� Rebecca Schallek, M.D., will address 鈥淜now Your Numbers: What You Should Know About Heart Disease,鈥� and free screenings at The German House, 315 Gregory St.

• 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 15 鈥� Erica Miller, M.D., will discuss 鈥淕ender Differences: What Women Need To Know About Their Heart Health,鈥� and free screenings from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Westside YMCA, 920 Elmgrove Road.

• 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 鈥� Schallek will also address 鈥淕ender Differences: What Women Need To Know About Their Heart Health,鈥� and free screenings from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eastside YMCA, 835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road.

• 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27 鈥� Andrew Mathias, M.D., will discuss 鈥淧ump It Up! Exercise And Your Heart,鈥� and free screenings from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Northwest/Greece YMCA, 730 Long Pond Road.

UR Medicine鈥檚 Strong Memorial Hospital is the region鈥檚 leader in heart care, according to U.S. News and World Report 2017-18 Best Hospitals.聽 It is also home to Upstate New York鈥檚 only comprehensive heart failure and transplantation service.聽