How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Keeping your heart healthy can sometimes feel like a chore but it doesn't have to. These simple tips will help keep that ticker going for years to come.

Use garlic at every chance. The sulfur compounds help your heart by making blood flow more freely, lowering your blood pressure by up to eight points. For best results use fresh garlic and aim to consume up to one whole clove daily.

Think tomatoes. Whether it is ketchup, tomato juice, sauce or fresh tomatoes from the garden. High cholesterol can be lowered by 13% just by incorporating tomatoes into your diet. Tomatoes contain lycopene which stops LDL from turning into artery-clogging plaque.

Pistachios are a tasty way to keep triglyceride levels low. All it takes is one handful daily.

Chocolate is great at reducing inflammation to help keep your heart at its best. For best results look for dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa and consume at least two ounces a week.

If you prefer you can always drink your way to a healthier heart. Just four ounces of red wine or eight ounces of orange juice, black tea or cranberry juice daily can produce great results.