Give Your Heart A Helping Hand

Do you realize how hard your heart works? It's been pumping blood every day since before you were born. If you are overweight or if your arteries are clogged with cholesterol, your heart has to work that much harder.

What can you do? For starters, play video games like Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort. That's right! It sounds crazy, but the American Heart Association (AHA) and Nintendo (Wii's maker) encourage Americans of all ages to be active. See Active Play Now for health tips and activities.

If you don't own a video game, then lace up your shoes and start walking. Just 30 minutes a day will benefit your heart. Walking is the single most effective form of exercise to achieve heart health, according to the heart association.

Eating high-fiber foods also can contribute to heart health. The AHA recommends 4 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables every day along with 3 ounces of fiber-rich whole grains, and four servings a week of nuts, legumes and seeds. Find these healthy foods at a local farmers' market this summer.