Here are some scary statistics that will encourage you to take care of your heart:

• Cardiovascular disease accounts for about 1 out of 3 deaths in the U.S.
• About 2,200 people in the U.S. die of cardiovascular disease each day, which means that 1 person dies every 40 seconds.
• Cardiovascular disease is responsible for more deaths each year than cancer and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease combined.
• Approximately 790,000 people in the U.S .have heart attacks each year.
• In 2010, the estimated global cost of cardiovascular disease was $863 billion and it is estimated to rise to $1,044 billion by 2030.

Now we don’t want to scare you, but we DO want you to know that eating healthy can help you to avoid becoming one of the above statistics. Here are some important foods that can help with heart health.

Salmon - Salmon has lots of omega-3 fatty acids which can help to get your blood flowing. Two servings of oily fish each week (about 3.5 ounces or the size of a computer mouse) can help to lower triglycerides which is a type of fat that can lead to heart disease.

Walnuts - These protein packed nuts contain a different type of omega-3 fatty acid that helps to lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and raise your “good” (HDL) cholesterol.

Dairy Products - Low fat dairy products are a good option for getting the potassium to help lower your blood pressure. You can also find potassium in bananas, potatoes and oranges.

Chickpeas and Lentils - Beans are a great source of protein that also helps to lower your bad cholesterol levels. If you buy canned beans at the grocery store, make sure you get the ones that are labeled “no sodium added” or “low salt”.

Whole Grains -  In a Harvard study, it was found that people who ate a diet that was high in fiber had a 40% decreased risk of heart disease than those who ate a low-fiber diet. Oatmeal, barley, beans, okra and eggplant are also all high in fiber.

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