8 Ways to Lower Your Heart Disease Risk

You can do a lot to lower your odds of getting heart disease. Taking action will improve your health -- and, possibly, save your life. Get going on these 8 ways to get on track.

• Quit smoking. If you smoke, you are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack as nonsmokers, and you’re much more likely to die if you do have a heart attack.
• Improve cholesterol levels. You're more likely to get heart disease if you have:
  • Total cholesterol level over 200
  • HDL ("good") cholesterol level under 40
  • LDL ("bad") cholesterol level over 160
  • Triglycerides over 150
  • Cholesterol isn't the only thing that matters. Your doctor will consider the big picture, including all your potential risks. To help lower cholesterol levels, eat a diet low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and refined sugars and high in fiber.
• Control high blood pressure. People who have hypertension, or high blood pressure are the most common heart disease risk factor.
• Get active. People who don't exercise are more likely to get heart disease, and die from it, than people who are active.
• Follow a heart-healthy diet. Eat foods that are low in fat and cholesterol. The fiber is good for your cholesterol, and you'll get vitamins the natural way, from foods.
• Get to a healthy weight. Losing extra weight is good for your heart. It can also help you lower high blood pressure and manage diabetes.
• Control diabetes. Diabetes makes heart disease more likely. Many people who have diabetes don't know it. Get tested and get treated.
• Manage stress and anger. Everyone has stress, and it's normal to get angry now and then. Managing your stress and handling your anger in healthy ways puts you back in charge.