Heart attacks are a leading cause of death for American men and women, but you can take steps to reduce your risk.

More than a million Americans suffer heart attacks each year, and 400,000 die as a result.

Fortunately, you can take steps to substantially reduce your chance of being among them.

“The lifestyle you lead plays a key role in reducing your risk for a heart attack,” says Richard Stein, M.D., director of urban cardiology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City and a spokesman for the American Heart Association. “Adults who have healthy lifestyles have a significantly lower risk of having a first or second heart attack because they have fewer risk factors.”

Some of the risk factors for heart attack that are beyond your control include a family history of heart disease, or being a man over age 45 or a woman over age 55. However, many of the major risk factors are within your control and can be reduced. The following ABCs can help you live a heart-healthy lifestyle today— and in the years to come.

Avoid Tobacco
“Simply put, if you use tobacco in any form, quit,” Stein advises. “Making this change alone can sharply reduce your risk for heart attack in just one year.”

Be Active
Exercise helps prevent heart attack by helping you attain and maintain a healthy weight, and helping you prevent and control diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

“And it doesn’t have to be vigorous or take a lot of time to make a difference,” says Stein. “Even exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week can help. If you’ve been mostly sedentary, start out slowly and increase your activity gradually.”

Control Conditions
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes increase your heart attack risk. If you have these conditions, work with your doctor to keep them under control.

• High cholesterol. High total and LDL “bad” cholesterol, and low HDL “good” cholesterol increase your heart disease risk.

  “Increasing your physical activity and reducing your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol may be enough to get your cholesterol where it should be,” says Stein.

• High blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher can raise your heart attack risk.

  To control high blood pressure, lose excess weight, be physically active, follow a Mediterranean or DASH diet, reduce your salt intake, and take medication, if directed.

• Diabetes. “People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease due to a variety of risk factors,” says Stein. “Keeping the condition well-managed is important.”
• Being overweight. Excess pounds strain your heart and contribute to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
• Depression and stress. These conditions increase your risk. Seek help from a mental health professional.

“Heart attacks are devastating— and preventable,” says Stein. “Doing what you can to reduce your risk— and you can do a lot—makes sense.”

Barbara Floria spoke with Richard Stein, M.D., director of urban cardiology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City and a spokesman for the American Heart Association. For more information, visit www.americanheart.org.

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