7 heart-healthy foods

"Certain key foods can dramatically reduce your heart disease risk," says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Add these superfoods today for a healthier heart.

Oatmeal

A review of 67 studies showed that diets high in soluble fiber, like the kind in steel-cut oats, decrease total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Salmon

Oily fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect your heart.

Nuts

Go for walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts, which boast good-for-you mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

Extra-virgin olive oil

A huge body of research confirms that its monounsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Berries

They lower inflammation and have a host of other cardiovascular perks, according to a report in the Nutritional Review.

Beans

In one study, people who ate legumes - like beans and lentils - at least four times a week had a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease than people who ate them less than once a week.

Broccoli

This - and other green veggies like kale and spinach - have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, a 2008 study shows.

More from Health.com: 17 worst habits for your heart