Know your risk. Visit your doctor and talk with him about
your personal risk for heart disease. While you cannot change some
factors--such as your age, gender and heredity--that increase your risk
for heart attack, you can reduce other factors that contribute to your
heart attack risk. Risk factors you can modify include: tobacco use,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an inactive lifestyle, excess
weight and diabetes. Your doctor can assess your health and personal
history and give you advice about what you need to do to reduce your
heart attack risk.
Know your key numbers. Keep track of your blood pressure,
cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as your weight. Place any lab
tests or reports from your doctor in a folder so you can access them
easily. Monitor your numbers and pay attention to how they change over
time. If, for example, your blood pressure or weight are inching higher,
take action to lower your blood pressure or lose weight before they
become significant problems.
Make positive lifestyle changes. Live a healthier, more
active life. Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat or poultry. Start exercising
most days of the week. If it has been years since you laced up your
athletic shoes, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to exercise
regularly.
Take any medications your doctor prescribes as directed.
Work with your doctor to control chronic conditions--such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes--that raise your heart attack
risk. If you are morbidly obese, ask your doctor about surgical weight
loss solutions.
Stay committed. Do not let your resolve falter like
long-forgotten New Year's resolutions. Reducing your heart disease risk
is something you should do for the rest of your life. In fact, even
people who do not currently have risk factors may want to live healthier
lives now because their heart attack risk will rise as they age.
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