As American Heart Month draws to a close, a couple of local cardiologists gave their advice for people seeking to stay heart healthy and provided tips to know when it is time to get a check-up.

Alexandra Ward, M.D., FACC Riverside cardiologist and Director of the Women’s Heart Center at Riverside Health System, said that how often someone should get their heart checked depends on each individual’s underlying medical conditions and risk factors.

She said that everyone should go to their primary care provider once a year to screen for any underlying conditions that could lead to heart disease. Middle-aged and older adults should have their heart checked every year.

People who are obese, smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or diabetes are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and should also be checked yearly for heart disease.

Ward said that women who are pregnant should have their heart checked right after delivery. During pregnancy, there...