Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. There are 720,000 deaths every year as a result of heart attacks. This month, we need to educate and push people to think about lifestyle changes and prevention when it comes to heart disease. There are many small changes you can make today to help your heart. I have a great mnemonic for you to help remember and please pass this along to your children.

• A: Ask your doctor if aspirin is right for you. Aspirin has been talked about a lot as a prevention method for heart attacks in those who have a family history of heart disease. I would not recommend taking this until you consult with your doctor. 
• B: Know your blood pressure. 120/80 or less than is normal.
• C: Understand what your cholesterol levels are. LDL (bad)  HDL (good) cholesterol are different and you should know these numbers like you know your age.
• D: Diet - Limit your intake of salt, sugar and fat. It really is the killer.
• E: Exercise - You should be active at least 3x per week for 30 minutes.
• F: Fiber - Eat at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. More fiber equals good for your heart.
• G: Genetics: Understand your family history of heart disease. If it is aggressive in your family, I would recommend seeing a doctor for specific prevention methods to your case.
• H: Habit- This is perhaps the most challenging. Your daily, weekly, monthly behaviors matter. Be mindful and purposeful when it comes to your health. Every choice you make matters.
• I: Increase your intake of organic food. This limits the amount of preservatives and pesticides in your body.
• J: Java time! For coffee lovers, 3-4 cups per day has been shown to decrease some types of cancer like colon, diabetes and dementia. Limit the amount milk or sugar or better yet, try it black.

Hope these help you. Please leave a comment or find me on Twitter and let's see what is working for you.