Your heart is a vital organ that keeps your body functioning. Unfortunately, many people don't treat it that way. They may not realize that their daily habits and lifestyle can overwork and damage their heart. So, take care of your heart and yourself. Start by making the following lifestyle changes.

Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.

The food guide pyramid from the federal government is a guideline to help you eat a healthy diet.

Living a healthier lifestyle can help to prevent heart disease. This means eliminating all tobacco, following a heart-healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk for coronary heart disease (heart attack) and stroke (brain attack).

Here's what to do: Get more exercise. Cut back on salt. Have more fruits and vegetables. Limit your drinking. Choose which is easiest, and do it first.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet reduced blood pressure. This diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat and emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.

The cholesterol in your blood comes from the foods you eat and your liver—but your liver makes all of the cholesterol your body needs.

High cholesterol contributes to heart disease, which kills more Americans than all cancers combined.