Walk into Vidant Beaufort Hospital on Friday, and one may have questioned if he or she missed the memo on dress code.

Friday marked National Wear Red Day 2017, and health care providers across Beaufort County donned the color. Wear Red Day asks residents to do just that in support of American Heart Month and in support of medical research to treat or cure cardiovascular disease.

This type of disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, killing about one woman every 80 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. The majority of these illnesses, however, can be prevented with lifestyle changes.

Eating right and exercising are essential to good health in general, but also to preventing heart disease. Living a healthful lifestyle is important, and that’s what health care providers were trying to get across Friday.

Beaufort County has one of the highest rates — if not the highest rate — of cancer in eastern North Carolina. A lot of attention is given to cancer, and it is deserved attention. However, cardiovascular disease is just as deadly, and it’s also prevalent in this county.

Although women tend to be the prime target of heart disease, men have cause for concern, as well. Heart disease affects men and women. People with a family history of it have an increased risk and should keep an extra eye on their heart health, too.

The heart is the most important part of the human body. Without it, absolutely nothing else can function. Tomorrow is not the time to make lifestyle changes. Making changes today could potentially save one’s life tomorrow.

Is heart disease scary? Yes. But can people take control of their heart health? Absolutely.

You’ve only got one heart. Don’t take any chances.