You may be able to bench 200 pounds, but is your heart in good shape? Here are a few tips to keep your most important muscle healthy and happy during National Heart Health Awareness Month from Richard N. Forgos, M.D. at About Heart Disease.

1. Diet and Exercise

Monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure is critical to maintain a healthy heart. A lethargic lifestyle can lead to metabolic issues like high blood sugar and cholesterol, and can eventually cause heart disease and damage to your vascular system. Your heart, just like all muscles, gets stronger with exercise. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, exercise will help allow your heart to work at a maximum level with less strain.

2. Smoking is Dangerous

Smoking is the worst thing you can do to your body and heart. Smoking even one cigarette causes the heart to work harder. Heart disease may appear in your system decades earlier than it might otherwise. If early onset heart disease doesn’t develop, other harmful conditions might, including lung disease and cancer.

3. Look After Yourself

Managing your stress is critical to maintaining healthy blood pressure. Identify the source of your stress and address it. Addressing emotional stress physically helps — learn yoga, stretch, go for a run, meditate or do aerobics.

Use these three tips to maintain a healthy heart through every February!