Heart disease strikes someone in the U.S. about once every 42 seconds. It is estimated that more than 85.6 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease.

The newest research also shows that many factors that contribute to heart health are also linked to hearing health. That's a powerful reminder that Hearing Care is Health Care™.

Reduce saturated fats

Take simple steps to limit the saturated fats in your diet. When cooking, cut down on the butter, margarine and shortening you use. Opt for low-fat substitutes such as low-fat yogurt instead of butter on your baked potato or fruit spread instead of margarine on your toast. Check ingredients on food labels before you buy. Avoid trans fats that may be present in foods such as crackers, cookies and chips. Polyunsaturated fats, found in nuts and seeds and monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil, are also good choices for a heart healthy diet. But remember, all types of fat are high in calories.

Go to sleep!

Sleep deprivation can make you more prone to hypertension, diabetes, and other risk factors because it can increase inflammation – a key factor in the development of heart disease. If you're not getting the required 7 ½ to 8 ½ hours of sleep per night, you may be more prone to hypertension, diabetes and other risk factors in the development of heart disease. Researchers at Baptist Health South Florida found that people who slept 8 hours were more than 1.6 times more likely to eat an ideal diet, 1.7 times more likely to have an ideal BMI, 1.3 times more likely to have ideal blood pressure and 2.4 times more likely to get enough physical activity, compared to those who slept less than 6 hours. Set a consistent bedtime and stick to it. Jot your worries on a notepad and let them go. If all else fails, a warm bath before bedtime seems to work on adults as well as children.