5 foods your heart will thank you for eating

Heart disease is one of the biggest health dangers in the country -- 830,000 people die each year due to some form of heart disease. The high-fat, high-salt American diet is largely to blame: It's easier to eat junk than reaching for a healthy alternative.

The deeper cause for heart disease is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that delivers cholesterol around the body and high sodium, which raises both blood pressure and the chance of heart attacks and strokes.

It's no fun to cut out salty snacks and red meat, but tasty alternatives can help you stay proactive about heart health without eating boiled chicken and rice cakes.

If health isn't your hot button, simply eating better can also save cash. Turkey is certainly cheaper than steak, and a good diet can help negate the need for expensive high-cholesterol medication.