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Heart disease is the number-one killer for both men and women but can be highly preventable.Even with the progression of understanding heart disease, it's still the number-one killer among men and women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. That's one in every four deaths.

The good news is, heart disease can be prevented. Depending on whether your doctor has encouraged new and healthy behaviors, or if you have a known history of heart disease in your family, you might be able to turn your life around in just eight weeks.

How can you improve your heart health in such little time?

You can make a HUGE difference in just a short period of time, and it all starts with getting just a little more active. Recently, studies have shown the dangers of sitting too long and how it can damage your health as much as smoking.

However, by getting up and walking frequently, you can reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol, boost weight loss, reduce your risk of cancer, and optimize your mental health.

Another way you can improve your heart health is through dietary changes. For years, doctors plagued cholesterol as the number one contributor to heart disease. Now, doctors are suggesting cholesterol isn't so bad after all. Staying away from processed foods that are high in sugar and fat, however, is a must for reducing your risk of heart disease.

What else can you do to improve your health and live longer?

James Beckerman, MD, joins host Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss the dangerous risks associated with heart disease, as well as how you can improve your heart health in just eight weeks.