9 heart-healthy rules to live by

Cardiovascular disease accounts for one in three deaths in the United States, which translates to a lost life every 34 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. On top of that, heart disease remains the number one cause of death in America. Statistics like these highlight just how important it is to take care of your heart.

The good news? “There are a number of basic tenets you can live by to keep your heart healthy,” says Rozy Dunham, MD, a cardiologist in Woodbury, New Jersey. These principles, like quitting smoking and exercising regularly, have been shown time and again to help lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The key, though, is to make these lifestyle changes for the long haul, says Dr. Dunham. “There’s no quick fix to getting heart-healthy,” she says. “If you see a news story that says, ‘Drink six cups of coffee a day to lower your risk,’ it’s likely too good to be true.” Following these rules will take work, but it’s worth the effort. “Life is always getting in the way,” says Dunham, “but you have to find the time to take care of your heart.”