GET MOVING!
People who are inactive are more likely to have heart disease than those who are active. But you don't have to be a marathon runner to get health benefits from physical activity. In fact, moderate activity, done often, can reduce your risk for heart disease. Just remember, doing something is better than doing nothing!

CONSIDER CHOLESTEROL
Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog arteries and may cause a heart attack. High blood cholesterol can be reduced through changes in your diet and medication. Blood cholesterol levels tend to increase with age; so don't rely on a measure that was taken more than five years ago.

LIVE LEAN
Eat a balanced diet that is low in fat, saturated fat and calories. Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods, and begin a regular physical activity program. Don't try to lose more than one pound per week, and prepare yourself to deal with feelings of guilt that may accompany brief "slips" in your effort to lose weight.

ARE YOU UNDER PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is a measure of how hard your heart has to work to circulate blood through your body. The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk for a heart attack. If you are unsure about your blood pressure number, you may be at risk and not even know it! Get your blood pressure checked at least every two years. If it's high, follow your doctor's advice for lowering it.

A WEIGHTY ISSUE
Besides looking and feeling better, losing weight has other benefits. Your risk of heart disease, diabetes, gall bladder disease and certain types of cancer will go down. You can expect reductions in high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol with weight loss. If you are overweight, even a moderate reduction in weight can produce substantial reductions in blood pressure.

SMOKE OUT!
Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death. The more you smoke, the higher your risk for heart disease and cancer. Your heart disease risk drops dramatically as soon as you quit smoking. About three years after quitting, your risk is almost equal to a person who has never smoked. Quit now...it's never too late!

(Adapted from the American Heart Association's Heart at Work program)