Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease caused over 733,942 deaths in 2010 alone. This number represented 36 percent of all recorded deaths that year.

Numerous factors can increase your risk of heart disease, including genetics, family history, diet, and lifestyle choices. Failure to keep your heart healthy information will lead to a higher risk of developing cancer, diabetes, or other serious infections. However, there are many ways to reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by taking simple steps now.

Exercising can be difficult if you do not have the proper motivation. However, by simply listening to your favorite music, you can motivate yourself to exercise regularly. As little as 15 minutes of exercise each day can increase your lifespan by three years and significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

The best exercises for reducing the risk of heart disease include weight training, bicycling, running, and swimming.

Your overall diet is an essential factor in determining your risk of developing heart disease. Following a healthy diet can reduce your risk by as much as 32 percent. The best foods for keeping your heart healthy include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.

Smoking is one of the leading risk factors for developing heart disease. In addition to increasing your chance of contracting cancer and other diseases, smoking can damage your arterial walls. This will increase your likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, which is a condition in which plaque builds up on the arterial walls of your heart.

Exposing yourself to secondhand smoke can also increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. To reduce your risk, you should quit smoking and avoid going anywhere where people are smoking.

According to the American Heart Association, people who are more likely to participate in physical activity and receive social support have a much lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

In order to relieve your stress, you should avoid negative situations whenever possible. You can also practice various holistic health and wellness techniques such as:

These stress management techniques can help keep your heart healthy and allow you to relax in any situation.

Remember to schedule regular visits with your primary care physician. Many health providers also provide telemedicine services for those who cannot make it to in-person appointments.