Ardmore, OK--February is American Heart Month and according to the American Heart Association more people die of heart disease each year than all forms of cancer combined.
When Tim Longest was diagnosed wit
h heart disease in 2009 he didn't think his life was at risk.

"I've always known that i had elevated cholesterol always known that i should of been dealing with it but i had a lot of people had a tendency to put it off" said Longest.

It turns out Tim's heart disease was so severe by the time he paid attention to it he had to undergo surgery. He said it was the wakeup call he needed.

"I had a 5 artery bi-pass and that educated me and brought it to light that I needed to deal with it so were now trying to keep the cholesterol in check with medication, diet and exercise " said Longest.

Interventional cardiologist Michael Partin said smoking is the leading cause of heart disease but genetics plays a huge part as well.

"Much of heart disease is genetic and that may require medications to prevent so testing you cholesterol levels goes a long ways" said Dr. Partin.

Tim said his high cholesterol was genetic and now that he is aware of that he will make sure that his family doesn't go through what he did.

"I've have a 21 year old daughter that was lucky enough to get the gene that she's got really high elevated cholesterol so she's now on medication hoping to never have surgery" said Longest.

Dr. Partin said awareness is the best prevention because the symptoms can be easily mistaken for heart burn or nausea and sometimes there may be no symptoms at all.

"Coronary artery diseases can often be a silent disease until its severe so that there may be no symptoms until the artery is completely blocked" said Dr. Partin.

"you have to watch what you eat you have to exercise those are the two biggest things you have to quit using tobacco if you're using tobacco ad if u have a family history you have to pay attention to that because it will catch up to you" said Longest.

Dr. Partin says routine testing is not common but recommended if heart disease runs in your family.