I've been saving this sweet quote for this week's Get Ready for Valentine's Day column. It gets to the heart of what really matters in life, not just this February, but every month of every year you have left.

"If I could ask someone only one question," writes best-selling author John Robbins, "and I wanted to learn the most I could about their health and how long they are likely to live, my question would not be 'Do you smoke?' It would not be 'Are you overweight?' Nor would I ask 'What's your cholesterol level?' or 'How's your blood pressure?'

"Instead I would ask, 'How much love is there in your life?"

How much love is there in your life? Ahh, let that reverberate in your heart for a moment. Then reflect: When was the last time your doctor asked you that? Never ever is my best guess. And that's heartbreaking, because your emotional health is a huge factor when it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease, the nation's No. 1 killer. A healthy heart is a loving heart, an open heart, a forgiving heart. (Cue the violins.)

It's sappy but true: Whom do you love, and who loves you? Answer this question with high numbers and deep gratitude, and you can probably eat a whole box of Valentine's Day chocolates.

Your heart isn't just a mindless pump that pushes blood around your body. It's the center of joy and spirit in your life. (Cue the organ.) There's plenty of evidence that positive emotions are big contributors to a healthy heart. So give yourself the sweetest valentine of all this year by strengthening your social network of loving family and friends — and not online but in reality. How? By opening your heart to others. Be kind, be non-judgmental, be compassionate, be funny, be a good listener.

Here are three more strategies to boost your heart health this Valentine's Day:

BE MORE ACTIVE. February is National Heart Month, and I'd have to turn in my official Red Cross CPR certification card if I didn't restate the obvious: Physical activity — at home, in the gym, in your office — is a must if you want to nurture a healthier heart. Get focused, get moving, have fun. Bonus points if you do it outdoors, in nature. Take a walk! Ride your bike! Vacuum to Lady Gaga! No list of workouts is complete without my personal favorite, yoga, a proven 5,000-year-old recipe for vibrant health that includes meditation and conscious breathing, two more proven paths to a calmer, stronger heart. Your ultimate heart-healthy goal is to push your pulse into your target heart zone for 20 to 30 minutes a session, at least three times a week. More is better, but remember: Just going from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one has tremendous health benefits. Start where you are.

LET GO OF ANGER. Who pushed your buttons today? Your boss? Your kids? The robot that tells you "don't hang up, your call is important to us"? If you hold on to anger in your mind and body, it depresses your immune system, drains your energy and weakens your heart. So this Valentine's Day, indulge in a ritual that identifies your anger and lets it go: Light a candle, write a poem, bury the hatchet. (Cue the Native American flute.) Practice forgiveness, and your heart will expand in ways that will help you feel unstuck, more connected and less stressed.

EAT SMARTER. Extra pounds weigh heavily on your heart. To lighten your load, eat in a more enlightened way. Forget dieting. Diets are all about denial and deprivation, and as soon as you go off your diet, the weight piles back on. Instead, this Valentine's Day, hold your hand over your heart and vow to consume moderate amounts of real food: more fruits and veggies, more whole grains, less red meat, you know the drill. Read labels. Out with processed foods that bloat your belly and clog your arteries. In with homemade meals using the freshest, most local ingredients you can find. Don't depend on supplements or fasts to power up your heart. It thrives on good food, pure food, prepared with love and eaten slowly with awareness and gratitude.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! CUE THE LAUGH TRACK

"Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions." — Woody Allen

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, personal trainer and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She has a website, http://marilynnpreston.com and welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to [email protected]. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.