You CAN reduce your heart disease risk!

The important thing is that you take steps now to prevent, or if you already have heart disease, to control your heart disease risk factors.

1. Stop smoking - Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk heart attacks in both men and women. Amazingly, only one year after quitting your risk drops by 50% that of a current smoker and with time returns to normal in a person without heart disease.
2. Lower your blood pressure - high blood pressure increases the work your heart must do. By keeping your blood pressure below 140/90 you greatly decrease your risk. Lifestyle changes and when needed medication can control your blood pressure.
3. Reduce your cholesterol - The higher the level of blood cholesterol, the greater the risk for heart disease and possibly heart attack. Lifestyle changes can often control. Again, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication can control your blood cholesterol.
4. Maintain a healthy weight for your body type - Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart attack.
5. Stay active - The best way to reduces the risk of heart-related problems, including heart attack is by being physically active.
6. Manage your diabetes - Diabetes mellitus damages blood vessels, including the coronary arteries of the heart. Up to 75 percent of individuals with diabetes go one to develop heart disease.