Here's how you can protect your 'heart' this Valentine's day

Experts have provided some health tips for people to protect their heart this Valentine's day, especially for women.

Loyola University Health System internal medicine physician Anita Varkey, MD, urges women to protect their health and prevent a common warning sign of heart disease. Angina has been characterized as pain or discomfort in the chest that results from plaque buildup in the arteries causing reduced blood flow to the heart.

Other symptoms of angina include chest pressure, discomfort in the jaw, neck or left arm, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Symptoms typically result from physical exertion.

Women can prevent this condition by being proactive about their health and opting for fresh or frozen vegetables.

Other important steps include avoiding white foods. Eliminate added sugars and white rice, bread and pasta from your diet to control your blood sugar. Try the Mediterranean diet for good cholesterol. Avoid red meat and dairy products, which contain saturated fats, and skip processed foods that contain trans-fats. Opt for the Mediterranean diet, which has been found to help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

Maintain a healthy weight. An optimal weight will prevent the heart from having to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Spend more time in motion. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. If this seems overwhelming, break it into two, 15-minute increments five days a week.

Kick the habit the non-traditional way. If all the traditional methods to quit smoking aren't working, opt for acupuncture or hypnosis. Become more Zen. Stress can lead to inflammation, an underlying cause of heart disease. By keeping stress under control you also will be less likely to engage in harmful behaviors such as smoking, drinking to excess and eating unhealthy food. Prioritize sleep and put off the to-do list until morning.