The American Heart Association wants one of your top resolutions to be optimal heart health by cooking healthy meals at home.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans. The risks can be reduced by promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Simple Cooking With Heart is a partnership between the American Heart Association and Walmart to encourage people to cook at home rather than eating out frequently.

“When we cook at home, we are going to have less fat, sodium and sugar,” said Nellie Kelly of the American Heart Association. “But we realize that not everyone is comfortable in the kitchen, and not everyone has a lot of time. That’s why we eat out so much. Simple Cooking With Heart teaches people the basics, like how to slice vegetables, to more complex topics like putting together a healthy meal on a budget.”

For the first time, the American Heart Association has defined what it means to have ideal cardiovascular health, identifying seven health and behavior factors that impact health and quality of life.

Even simple, small changes can make a big difference in living a better life. Known as “Life’s Simple 7,” these steps can help add years to your life.

1. Don’t smoke
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Engage in regular physical activity
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Manage blood pressure
6. Take charge of cholesterol
7. Keep blood sugar at healthy levels

The American Heart Association has a new national goal:By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.

The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a wide variety of nutritious foods daily.  Remember, even simple, small changes can make a big difference in living a better life.

For more information on how to cook heart-healthy meals at home, go to www.heart.org/simplecooking  for recipes and cooking videos.