Belated Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We sure hope you enjoyed the day regardless of who you're with or what you did. In honor of heart's day, we've decided to dedicate a post to our good ol' ticker. After all without our heart, we literally wouldn't be able to function.

It should go without saying that keeping the heart healthy is one of the things that everyone must consciously do. Their lives after all, depend on it. But as obvious as it may seem, why is heart disease still one of the leading causes of death in the United States? It's quite unfortunate that more than 300,000 people die of heart disease every year in the US alone, in spite of the fact that it can be prevented and controlled.

If you're alarmed by this statistic, then do your heart a favor and start taking the steps to help it become a healthier organ. There are plenty of resources that can give you a jump start in living a healthier lifestyle for your heart. The American Heart Association for instance, has a ton of tools and articles dedicated to helping people help their hearts.

You can also make a commitment todo more cardio, and to eat right. To help you with the second point, below is a list of pro heart foods that you should really consider adding to your diet. Check them out below and see how you can incorporate them into your meals:

1. Oatmeal - As much as you love your sugary cereals and muffins, you may want to add oatmeal to your mix of breakfast meals. Oatmeal is rich in fiber and can help keep your blood sugar in check. On top of that, it's also been proven to lower cholesterol and be very good to your heart.

Not too fond of the taste? Oatmeal doesn't have to taste like cardboard. Adding fresh fruit in the mix can boost its flavor significantly. You can also consider flavored oatmeal, but choose wisely as some of them can have a little too much sugar.

2. Salmon - This fish is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, a substance that reduces that risk of coronary heart disease and particular types of cancer. It is also loaded with vitamins such as Vitamin A, E, D and B12 which are great for your body.

And it's yummy too! Salmon sashimi makes an excellent appetizer. Not a fan of raw fish? The consider baked salmon with pesto or basil toppings.

3. Nuts - Almonds and walnuts in particular have a lot of omega-3 fatty acids as well. They're also rich in protein, and are serve as good sources if you're trying to stay away from meat. Moreover, nuts contain Vitamin E, fiver, and folate, all of which can do wonders for your heart and body as a whole.

4. Tomatoes - Lycopene, which is an inhibitor to heart disease, can be found in tomatoes. The fruit can also lower your cholesterol, and it's a good source of Vitamin B6, folate, and niacin.

5. Soy Milk - A healthy substitute for regular milk, soy milk has been found to reduce cholesterol. It is also filled with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids all of which are good for the heart and body in general.

Image credit: Ember Studio on Flickr