Heart disease causes about 610,000 deaths every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You are more likely to develop heart disease if you have a family history of the disease, are obese, smoke cigarettes or have high blood pressure. Making a few lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of heart disease. Here are five effective ways to keep your heart healthy:

Change Your Diet

If your diet mostly consists of fatty and fried foods, it is time to make some changes. What you eat can make a difference in your heart health. Try to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and nuts. If you are in the mood to eat red meat, choose the leanest cut possible.

Get Moving

Incorporating aerobic exercise into your regular routine will keep your heart in top shape. It will help you maintain a healthy weight and increase circulation to your heart. There are a variety of different aerobic exercises you can do, including walking, running, swimming and dancing.

Don't Smoke

Smoking can be very detrimental to your heart's health, so you should make an effort to quit. This habit can be very difficult to break on your own, so you may want to ask your doctor for help. Once you kick the habit, you will be in much better health.

Don't Allow Stress to Control Your Life

Whether it is due to a strict deadline at work or problems within the family, stress is inevitable at times. However, if you allow stress to take over your life, it can hurt your heart. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you're overwhelmed and do things that relax you, such as meditating or practicing yoga.

Lose Weight

If you are currently carrying around too many pounds, it can put extra stress on your heart. Getting down to a healthy weight will definitely improve the health of your heart. If you reduce your caloric intake and exercise most days of the week, you will be able to lose the weight you need.

Your heart is one of your most important organs, so take good care of it. If you follow these helpful tips, you can keep your heart in good shape and reduce chest pain. Make sure to visit the doctor every year for a heart checkup, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.