Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). American Heart Month is a timely opportunity to evaluate some health habits that can help you give your heart the care it deserves.

Many are surprised to learn that eye and oral health play an important role in detecting heart conditions.

A non-invasive exam of blood vessels in the eye can help detect chronic health issues like hypertension. Dental exams can help prevent gum disease, a common condition that has been linked to both heart disease and stroke.

For these reasons, utilizing your vision and dental coverage for healthy eyes and healthy teeth can lead to healthy heart benefits as well.

Five tips for staying heart healthy

Limit salt in your diet. Salt increases sodium levels in the bloodstream, which, in turn, causes your kidneys to work harder and your body to retain water. Eating too much salt much may cause high blood pressure.

Exercise regularly. As little as 30 minutes of exercise per day can improve blood pressure, lower cholesterol and, of course, burn calories.

Manage your weight. Extra pounds place extra strain on your body – increasing the risks of high blood pressure and heart failure.

Stress less. Ongoing stress can take a toll on mental and physical health. Stress-induced headaches and insomnia can contribute to cardiovascular disease risks in much the same way as smoking, overeating and lack of exercise.

Get more sleep. Sleeping less than seven hours per night can raise your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Learn more about how you can best manage your heart health.