The statistics are shocking: Someone dies of heart disease every 39 seconds, on average. The disease kills more Americans than car crashes each year. Even more startling: 80 percent of heart disease cases could be prevented.

That’s right—eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, avoiding excess alcohol, and not smoking would wipe out most cases of heart disease. (And even among non-smokers, about 74 percent of heart disease cases could be prevented with the right diet and enough exercise, according to the long-running Harvard Nurses’ Health study.)

Now’s a good time to think about your heart—after all, it is American Heart Month, which means you can score freebies like a blood pressure test at participating Walgreens, or take part in events like the American Heart Association’s “Go Red” meetups. But even more important than thinking about your heart is finding out if you have any risk factors for heart disease, so you can deal with them. I just came across brand new research from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas that really hits this point home.

The study of more than 250,000 people found that if you have any risk factors for heart disease—such as high LDL (“bad” cholesterol), high triglycerides (another type of blood fat), high blood pressure and obesity—right now, you’re paving the way for the condition later in life. “A 55-year-old woman with no risk factors has a six percent chance of developing heart disease by the time she’s 80; a man has a five percent chance. But with two risk factors, the likelihood jumps to 21 percent for women and 30 percent for men,” says study leader Jarett Berry, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Does that mean you’re fated to get this deadly disease if you have any of the risk factors? Not necessarily. “The best approach to prevention is what has been called ‘primordial prevention’ or preventing the onset of risk factors in the first place,” says Dr. Berry. “We have ample evidence from other studies that both lifestyle changes and medications can have a significant impact on individuals with risk factors present.” And if you already have heart disease, adopting healthy habits may slow the progression of the disease and lower your risk for a heart attack.

Obesity is the most difficult risk factor to contend with, and the one that triggers many others, including high LDL, high triglycerides and high blood pressure. So, while you’re losing weight, you might have to lean on medication to keep these risk factors under control. And don’t worry—you don’t have to lose all the excess weight. “Even a five percent drop in body weight can result in clinically meaningful reduction of risk factor burden,” says Dr. Berry.

The Best Life Program, although not billed as a heart disease prevention plan, is just that. We help you lose weight using a three-pronged approach that addresses your diet, exercise habits and emotions.

Now close your eyes and think hard about what will motivate you to stick with the Best Life plan or another healthy way of living. Maybe it’s the vision of living long enough (and with energy and zest) to enjoy your grandchildren. Or maybe it’s being healthy enough to take that vacation, or that job, or that adventure. Use this vision to keep yourself focused on keeping your heart healthy.

What motivates you to keep your heart healthy?