Regardless of age or fitness level, it’s important to prioritize heart health and focus on making healthy choices. “Heart disease kills more of us than any other disease,” said Dr. Justin Penn, board-certified cardiologist. “Even in women, believe it or not, heart disease kills more women than breast cancer does. It’s extremely prevalent and so important.” Dr. Penn says there are four major pillars to focus on for heart health: exercise, sleep, nutrition and emotional/mental well-being. “They all roll together, and with prevention and treatment of heart disease, you really want to focus on all those aspects of our health,” Dr. Penn said. He has some simple tips that can make a big impact on your heart health: Beverage swap: Stay away from drinks filled with sugar and instead opt for diet soda or sparkling or infused water. Sugary drinks contain empty calories and lack nutrients. “When you drink a really sugary drink, it’s really going to increase our blood sugar levels and then our insulin levels,” Dr. Penn said. Snack swap: Avoid highly processed foods with high salt, sugar and fat content. Focus on eating whole foods. These are filled with vitamins and nutrients and are good for gut and heart health. Exercise focus: Aim for 240 minutes a week of activity, even if it’s 10 minutes at a time. “We just want to have sedentary people start making small steps to increase their activity level,” Dr. Penn said. Cooking swap: Watch how you’re cooking and preparing meals. Avoid frying foods and try to use healthy fats, like olive oil. Screen time limit: While screens are now a part of daily life for most people, try to take a break from your screens at the end of the day. Go for a walk, take a warm bath or play a game with your kids to relax. “Any of those activities are going to be so much more rewarding in the long run,” Dr. Penn said. Learn more about heart health and find a provider on the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health website. Sponsored by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.