Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It is an equal opportunity killer that claims approximately 1 million lives annually. It is also one of the most preventable.  Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health are all integral aspects of saving lives from this often silent killer. Follow these simple rules to ensure that you keep your heart healthy. The biggest part of living healthy comes down to simply making healthy choices. You may not be able to change things like age and family history but the good news is that even a modest change to your diet and lifestyle can improve your heart health and lower your risk by as much as 80 percent.