As a person with diabetes, I am at a greater risk for developing heart disease. This definitely doesn't mean I'm extremely likely to get heart disease, though, it just means that if I make the common poor choices that lead to heart disease for everyone my body is more vulnerable to those risks because of my diabetes.

So, that's all the more reason why I should pay close attention to the steps I can take to help prevent this and to keep my heart pumping healthfully.

1. Healthy diet! Using olive oil instead of butter, lots of fish and lean proteins. Less high-cholesterol proteins (bacon, beef, eggs). Limit fast foods and sweet junk food!

Nuts, oat meal, high-fiber grains and cereals, vegetables, fish, olive oil and flax are a few of the major foods to help keep your heart healthy, and reduce cholesterol levels.

2. Exercise! Get your blood pumping! The heart is a muscle, and just like your bicep or your hamstring, it gets strong when you work it and exercise it. A sedentary lifestyle will definitely increase your risk of heart disease because your heart is getting the work it needs every day.

Try to exercise 3 to 4 times a week at least, for at least 30 minutes each time. A little cardio, a little weight training -- either way, the important thing is to keep moving and get your heart pumping!

3. Nix the cigarettes, alcohol and stress! All three of these things will hugely increase your risk for heart disease. There is quite simply no reason anyone these days should be smoking cigarettes. The evidence of how bad they are for our bodies is everywhere. If you're old enough to be drinking legally, alcohol is still a toxin to your body, a poison. Consumed in excess, your body will pay the price! Cigarettes and alcohol may be fairly obvious bad habits to avoid, but we underestimate the effect that stress can have on our hearts, too.

Stress may just be induced by emotions, but they can be toxic to your health. If you're feeling stressed, overworked, really upset over a situation in your life, don't let it linger: talk to someone. A good friend. A therapist. Your sister or your dad. Anyone! But either way, don't let it sit inside of you and linger!

Our hearts are an obviously major part of your body and our ability to live well, so we should keep it on the top of our priorities and take care of ourselves! If we make good decisions, we will be that many steps closer to a healthy heart when we're older. It's each our own decision.