As we recognize American Hearth Month with red clothes and red hearts, let’s remember why we do it. Nearly 600,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. every year. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is by protecting your heart through a healthy lifestyle. Here are some fun tips to help you maintain a healthy heart!

Just dance!
Even if it’s in your own living room, dancing raises your heart rate and burns calories. The heart is a muscle and needs exercise to keep fit.

Chocolate does the heart good
According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, dark chocolate not only tastes fantastic, but the flavonoids it contains can help fight heart disease.

Snuggle up with your furry friends
A National Institutes of Health study found that owning pets can reduce stress and blood pressure and therefore may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Stairs or elevator?
STAIRS! Even if it’s just one flight. Every extra step helps.

Tea time!
Studies from Harvard University and the NIH show that drinking black and green tea varieties can improve arterial health.