The American Heart Association raised awareness about heart disease and honored those lost with their annual Sweet Heart Ball on Saturday night.

Speakers at the Eastwood Event Center highlighted health disparities that can lead to heart disease, including poverty and food insecurity. Youngstown has the second highest poverty rate in the nation. The risk of heart disease rises dramatically without proper nutrition. 

"Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans," said Tracy Behnke, Executive Director of the American Heart Association. "We want to make sure we're giving folks the education and awareness to live longer, healthier lives."

The American Heart Association is working to make healthy choices easy and accessible to the Mahoning Valley.