Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. In 2008 more than half a million people died from heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease. Every year more than half a million individuals will experience their first coronary heart attack.

Your risk of developing heart disease may be influenced by environmental factors as well as a healthy diet. Men's Health graded 100 cities and determined the best and worst places for your heart. The cities were graded based on the cities death rates for heart disease. Additionally, rates for obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, the number of people who smoke and exercise were factored into the grades each city received. Environmental factors included the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) statistics regarding air quality.

San Francisco trumped the list at number one receiving an "A+" grade.

Rounding out the top 10 best cities for a healthy heart were:

  • Aurora, CO (A+)
  • Seattle, WA (A+)
  • Austin, TX(A+)
  • Colorado Springs, CO(A+)
  • Burlington, VT(A+)
  • Minneapolis, MN(A+)
  • Portland, OR(A+)
  • Boise City, ID(A)
  • Oakland, CA(A)

The ten worst cities for your heart were:

  • Tulsa, OK (F)
  • Cleveland, OH(F)
  • Buffalo, NY(F)
  • Toledo, OH(F)
  • Milwaukee, WI(F)
  • St. Louis, MO(F)
  • Baltimore, MD(F)
  • Charleston, WV(F)
  • Birmingham, AL(F)
  • Philadelphia, PA(F)

If you find yourself living in one of the unhealthiest cities for your heart, here are a few things you can do to lower your risk of developing heart disease:

  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Don't smoke or quit smoking
  • Limit your alcohol intake

For the complete list to see where your city ranked on the list visit Men's Health.

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