Heart disease is one of the most serious health problems of our times – take steps now to reduce your risk of developing this disease. By now we’ve all heard it: Heart disease isn’t just a man’s disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over age 65. Women generally develop heart problems later in life than men — typically seven or eight years later. However, by about age 65, a woman’s risk for heart disease is almost the same as a man’s.

Take action to protect yourself
For both men and women, the biggest risk factors for heart disease are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history and age. You can’t do much about your family history or your age. But you can minimize your risk by making the following lifestyle changes:

Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight increases your risk for many health problems, including heart disease. Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries. Exercise and a healthy, low fat diet can help you lose weight. Talk to your doctor about a safe way to shed the pounds.

Don’t smoke
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease in women. In fact, more than half of the heart attacks in women under age 50 are related to smoking. Women who smoke and use birth control pills are at even greater risk. If you stop smoking, you can lower your risk for heart attack significantly. Talk to your doctor about making a plan to quit smoking.

Control your cholesterol level
If you don’t know your level, ask your doctor to check it. Diet and exercise are key in lowering a high cholesterol level. However, some people also need to take medicine.

Eat a low fat diet
Keep fat calories to 30% or less of the total calories you take in each day. Avoid saturated fat (the fat in meats, dairy products, and baked goods or snacks that use hydrogenated or tropical oils).

Control high blood pressure
Treating high blood pressure can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke. Losing weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are all ways to help control your blood pressure. Reducing how much salt you consume may also help. If these steps don’t lower high blood pressure, your doctor will recommend that you take medicine.

Exercise regularly
Remember, your heart is a muscle. It needs regular exercise to stay in shape. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging or biking, gives your heart the best workout. When exercising indoors, you can use fitness equipment, such as an exercise bicycle, treadmill or elliptical trainer. Ask your doctor to help you develop a safe exercise plan.

Take care of diabetes
Regular exercise, weight control, a low fat diet and regular doctor visits can help control diabetes. If you need to take medicine for diabetes, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Did you know?
Women are less likely to survive heart attacks than men. It’s important to know the signs of a heart attack, such as pain in your chest, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath or sudden nausea. Get help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Your risk for heart disease is greater if your father or brother had heart disease before age 55, or your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65. Tell your doctor what you know about your family’s health history.

Source: American Heart Association: americanheart.org