If you’re thinking about how you can improve the health of your heart, don’t forget to move.

Like any other muscle in your body, your heart gets stronger with regular exercise.

Trouble is, Americans are clocking too much couch time.

“There is plenty of room for improvement in the exercise department,” said Dayle Hayes, registered dietitian and author of “Moving Away from Diets” (1996, Helm Publishing).

“America’s couch potatoes average only 2,000 to 3,000 steps per day,” she said. “Research shows that walking 10,000 steps a day can help to manage weight and lower cardiac risk factors, like blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”

If the thought of adding one more task to your day is more than you can bear, relax.

“Life is already complicated enough,” said Hayes. “The key to success is to find physical activities that you enjoy, and then aim for 30 to 45 minutes of activity on most days of the week.”