Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, 
but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as your fate.

Although you lack the power to change some risk factors — such as family history, sex, or age — there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
*  Physical activity for about 30 minutes on most days of the week.
*  Eat a healthy diet—choose fresh fruits/vegetables, whole grains, lean beef/chicken or fish. Avoid added sugar, excess salt and              processed foods. Avoid or keep alcohol to a minimum.
*  Maintain a healthy weight.
*  Get enough quality sleep.
*  Manage stress through physical activity, relaxation exercises, yoga, meditation or counseling.
*  Get regular health screenings—check your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
*  Visit with your healthcare provider about your personal risk factors to make a plan to reduce your risk.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack and call 9-1-1
or get to an emergency room as quickly as possible:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It may last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and come back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, shoulder, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Chest discomfort with sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, feeling of doom or imminent death.
• Of special note for women: women may experience the classic symptoms, but they are sometimes milder. Women may also be more likely to have symptoms like shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, upper back pressure/pain, jaw pain, pressure/pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.

Sometimes women tend to ignore their symptoms—it’s better to get checked than to let symptoms progress, causing damage to your heart.(Source of information: American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic)

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