Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness issued the warning yesterday at the official launching of Heart Month.

Medical statistics show heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, beat out cancer and infectious diseases as the main cause of death in Bermuda in 1992.

The number four killer of Bermudians was accidents and violence.

Mr. Edness said there had not appeared to be any marked reduction this year in deaths due to cardiovascular disease.

In 1992, 195 people -- 109 men and 86 women -- died from heart disease. That is just more than three people per 1,000 of the population.

He urged residents to find out their risk factors now and take preventative steps.

Cardiovascular/heart disease risk factors include smoking, raised blood pressure, high or unknown cholesterol, lack of exercise, being overweight, family history of diabetes and heart disease, hurried, anxious and intolerant behaviour and bein over 50-years-old.

Exercise was the key to a healthy heart, Mr. Edness stressed.

"Turn off the television and get out there and walk,'' he urged.

"February is not only an important month for children, but for parents as well,'' Mr. Edness said. "Diseases related to the heart and cardiovascular system are still a major cause of death on our Island.'' February has also been designated Education Month, focusing on Science and Technology.

The Ministers of Health and Education were on hand at the Cabinet Office yesterday to officially kick off the month.

They planned to work together to make it a success, they said.

Education Minister Mr Clarence Terceira said a number of activities were being held during the month to highlight the subjects of science and technology -- all to often forsaken for liberal arts subjects. Science and computers are where the jobs are today, Dr. Terceira said.

"It is the age of technology,'' he said.

Activities to celebrate Heart and Education Month include: Regular lunchtime educational performances by school students, dance groups and choirs on the steps of City Hall, school open houses, focus on black inventors at Paget Primary, a science fair at West Pembroke School, science displays at Orange Valley.

The month of activities will be capped by a fun afternoon at Bermuda College on February 27, featuring a fun castle, jazz band, school exhibits, fashion show, CPR demonstrations, free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks.

HEART SMART -- Education and Health Ministers the Hon. Clarence Terceira (left) and the Hon. Quinton Edness show Victor Scott School pupils posters for Education and Heart Month, which they kicked off in the Cabinet Office grounds yesterday.