Take Care of Your Heart as a New Year's Resolution

People make New Year's goals to make good changes in their lives, whether it's in their money, fitness, or focus. Consider making a resolution this year that might save your life: pay attention to your heart. More than 650,000 people die each year in the United States from heart disease, which has been the leading cause of mortality for decades. Many fatalities from heart disease may be avoided if action and intervention were taken sooner. Heart disease patients may suffer "classic" symptoms like chest discomfort or palpitations. Shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling, or loss of consciousness may be early warning signs for others, even if they don't appear to be connected to the heart at all. Make a promise to yourself that you will not ignore these or any other signs. Don't reject anything you believe is important.